
THE KREBS COLLECTION 

(LINGUISTICS) 



THE PIRATE 



.SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. 




ROCKS OF HILLSWICKNESS. 



EDINBURGH : 
ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK. 



THE PIRATE 



BY 

SIR WALTER SCOTT, Baet. 



Quoth he there was a ship. 



EDINBUKGH 

ADAM AND CHAELES BLACK 

1863 



40041B 

* -a 



?f?53X0 



\a>6>3 



INTRODUCTION TO THE PIRATE. 



Quoth he there was a ship." 



This brief preface may begin like the tale of the Ancient Mariner, since 
it was on shipboard that the author acquired the very moderate degree of 
local knowledge and information, both of people and scenery, -which he has 
endeavoured to embody in the romance of the Pirate. 

In the summer and autumn of 1814, the author was invited to join a party 
of Commissioners for the Northern Light-House Service, who proposed mak- 
ing a voyage round the coast of Scotland, and through its various groups of 
islands, chiefly for the purpose of seeing the condition of the many light- 
houses under their direction, — edifices so important, whether regarding them 
as benevolent or political institutions. Among the commissioners who man- 
age this important public concern, the sheriff of each county of Scotland 
which borders on the sea holds ex-officio a place at the Board. These gen- 
tlemen act in every respect gratuitously, but have the use of an armed 
yacht, well found and fitted up, when they choose to visit the light-houses. 
An excellent engineer, Mr Robert Stevenson, is attached to the Board, to 
afford the benefit of his professional advice. The author accompanied this 
expedition as a guest ; for Selkirkshire, though it calls him Sheriff, has not, 
like the kingdom of Bohemia in Corporal Trim's story, a seaport in its cir- 
cuit, nor its magistrate, of course, any place at the Board of Commissioners, — 
a circumstance of little consequence where all were old and intimate friends, 
bred to the same profession, and disposed to accommodate each other in every 
possible manner. 

The nature of the important business which was the principal purpose of 
the voyage, was connected with the amusement of visiting the leading objects 
of a traveller's curiosity ; for the wild cape, or formidable shelve, which re- 
quires to be marked out by a light-house, is generally at no great distance 
from the most magnificent scenery of rocks, caves, and billows. Our time, 
too, was at our own disposal, and, as most of us were fresh-water sailors, we 
could at any time make a fair wind out of a foul one, and run before the gale 
in quest of some object of curiosity which lay under our lee. 

With these purposes of public utility and some personal amusement in view, 
we left the port of Leith on the 26th July 1814, ran along the east coast of 
Scotland, viewing its different curiosities, stood over to Zetland and Orkney, 
where we were some time detained by the wonders of a country which dis- 
played so much that was new to us ; and having seen what was curious in the 
Ultima Thule of the ancients, where the sun hardly thought it worth while 



IV INTRODUCTION TO THE PIRATE. 

to go to bed, since his rising was at this season so early, we doubled the ex- 
treme northern termination of Scotland, and took a rapid survey of the He- 
brides, where we found many kind friends. There, that our little expedition 
might not want the dignity of danger, we were favoured with a distant 
glimpse of what was said to be an American cruiser, and had opportunity to 
consider what a pretty figure we should have made had the voyage ended in 
our being carried captive to the United States. After visiting the romantic 
shores of Morven, and the vicinity of Oban, we made a run to the coast of 
Ireland, and visited the Giant's Causeway, that we might compare it with 
Staffa, which we had surveyed in our course. At length, about the middle of 
September, we ended our voyage in the Clyde, at the port of Greenock. 

And thus terminated our pleasant tour, to which our equipment gave un- 
usual facilities, as the ship's company could form a strong boat's crew, inde- 
pendent of those who might be left on board the vessel, which permitted us 
the freedom to land wherever our curiosity carried us. Let me add, while 
reviewing for a moment a sunny portion of my life, that among the six or 
seven friends who performed this voyage together, some of them doubtless of 
different tastes and pursuits, and remaining for several weeks on board a 
small vessel, there never occurred the slightest dispute or disagreement, each 
seeming anxious to submit his own particular wishes to those of his friends. 
By this mutual accommodation all the purposes of our little expedition were 
obtained, while for a time we might have adopted the lines of Allan Cun- 
ningham's fine sea-song, 

"The world of waters was our home, 
And merry men were we I" 

But sorrow mixes her memorials with the purest remembrances of pleasure. 
On returning from the voyage which had proved so satisfactory, I found that 
fate had deprived her country most unexpectedly of a lady, qualified to adorn 
the high rank which she held, and who had long admitted me to a share of 
her friendship. The subsequent loss of one of those comrades who made up 
the party, and he the most intimate friend I had in the world, casts also its 
shade on recollections which, but for these imbitterments, would be otherwise 
so satisfactory. 

I may here briefly observe, that my business in this voyage, so far as 1 
could be said to have any, was to endeavour to discover some localities which 
might be useful in the " Lord of the Isle?," a poem with which I was then 
threatening the public, and which was afterwards printed without attaining 
remarkable success. But, as at the same time the anonymous novel of 
" Waverley" was making its way to popularity, I already augured the possi- 
bility of a second effort in this department of literature, and I saw much in 
the wild islands of the Orkneys and Zetland which I judged might be made 
in the highest degree interesting, should these isles ever become the scene of 
a narrative of fictitious events. J learned the history of Gow the pirate from 
an old sibyl (the subject of Note G, end of this volume), whose principal sub- 
sistence was by a trade in favourable winds, which she sold to mariners at 
Stromness. Nothing could be more interesting than the kindness and hos- 
pitality of the gentlemen of Zetland, which was to me the more affecting, as 
several of them had been friends and correspondents of my father. 

I was induced to go a generation or two farther back, to find materials 
from which I might trace the features of the old Norwegian Udaller, the 
Scottish gentry having in general occupied the place of that primitive race, 
and their language and peculiarities of manner having entirely disappeared. 
The only difference now to be observed betwixt the gentry of these islands 
and those of Scotland in general, is, that the wealth and property is more 
equally divided among our more northern countrymen, and that there exists 



INTRODUCTION TO THE PIRATE. V 

.imong the resident proprietors no men of very great wealth, whose display 
of its luxuries might render the others discontented with their own lot. From 
f,he same cause of general equality of fortunes, and the cheapness of living, 
which is its natural consequence, J found the officers of a veteran regiment 
who had maintained the garrison at Fort Charlotte, in Lerwick, discomposed 
at the idea of being recalled from a country where their pay, however inade- 
quate to the expenses of a capital, was fully adequate to their wants, and it 
was singular to hear natives of merry England herself regretting their ap- 
)roaching departure from the melancholy isles of the Ultima Thule. 

Such are the trivial particulars attending the origin of that publication 
vhich took place several years later than the agreeable journey in which it 
ook its rise. 

The state of manners which I have introduced in the romance was neces- 
arily in a great degree imaginary, though founded in some measure on slight 
lints, which, showing what was, seemed to give reasonable indication of what 
nust once have been, the tone of the society in these sequestered but in- 
■ eresting islands. 

In one respect I was judged somewhat hastily, perhaps, when the charac- 
er of Noma was pronounced by the critics a mere copy of Meg Merrilees. 
Chat I had fallen short of what I wished and desired to express is unques- 
tionable, otherwise my object could not have been so widely mistaken ; nor 
:an I yet think that any person who will take the trouble of reading the 
/•irate with some attention, can fail to trace in Noma, — the victim of re- 
norse and insanity, and the dupe of her own imposture, her mind, too, flooded 
vith all the wild literature and extravagant superstitions of the north, — 
omething distinct from the Dumfriesshire gipsy, whose pretensions to super- 
natural powers are not beyond those of a Norwood prophetess. The founda- 
tions of such a character may be perhaps traced, though it be too true that 
the necessary superstructure cannot have been raised upon them, otherwise 
the remark would have been unnecessary. There is also great improbability 
in the statement of Noma possessing power and opportunity to impress on 
others that belief in her supernatural powers which distracted her own mind. 
Yet, amid a very credulous and ignorant population, it is astonishing what 
success may be attained by an impostor, who is, at the same time, an enthu- 
siast. It is such as to remind us of the couplet which assures us that 

" The pleasure is as great 
Of being cheated as to cheat." 

Indeed, as I have observed elsewhere, the professed explanation of a tale, 
vhere appearances or incidents of a supernatural character are explained on 
natural causes, has often, in the winding-up of the story, a degree of impro- 
lability almost equal to an absolute gobliu tale. Even the genius of Mrs 
Jadcliffe could not always surmount this difficulty. 

Abbotsford, 1st Hay 1831. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The purpose of the following Narrative is to give a detailed and accurate 
ccount of certain remarkable incidents which took place in the Orkney 
Blands, concerning which the more imperfect traditions and mutilated re- 
ords of the country only tell us the following erroneous particulars :— 

In the month of January* 1724-5, a vessel, called the Revenge, bearing 
wenty large guns, and six smaller, commanded by John Gow, or GoFFE.or 
!mith, came to the Orkney Islands, and was discovered to be a pirate, by 
arious acts of insolence and villainy committed by the crew. These were 



VI ADVERTISEMENT. 

for some time submitted to, the inhabitants of these remote islands not pos- 
sessing arms nor means of resistance ; and so bold was the captain of these 
banditti, that he not only came ashore, and gave dancing parties in the vil- 
lage of Stromness, but, before his real character was discovered, engaged the 
affections, and received the troth-plight, of a young lady possessed of some 
property. A patriotic individual, James Fea, younger of Clestron, formed 
the plan of securing the buccanier, which he effected by a mixture of courage 
and address, in consequence chiefly of Gow's vessel having gone on shore nea 
the harbour of Calfsound, on the Island of Eda, not far distant from a hous< 
then inhabited by Mr Fea. In the various stratagems by which Mr Fe^ 
contrived finally, at the peril of his life (they being well armed and desperate) 
to make the whole pirates his prisoners, he was much aided by Mr Jame 
Laing, the grandfather of the late Malcolm Laing, Esq., the acute an* 
ingenious historian of Scotland during the seventeenth century. 

Gow, and others of his crew, suffered, by sentence of the High Court o 
Admiralty, the punishment their crimes had long deserved, He conducted 
himself with great audacity when before the Court ; and from an account a 
the matter by an eye-witness, seems to have been subjected to some unusmi 
severities, in order to compel him to plead. The words are these : " Jour 
Gow would not plead, for which he was brought to the bar, and the Judg 
ordered that his thumbs should be squeezed by two men, with a whip-core 
till it did break ; and then it should be doubled, till it did again break ; aii' 
then laid threefold, and that the executioners should pull with their whol 
strength ; which sentence Gow endured with a great deal of boldness." Th 
next morning (27th May 1725), when he had seen the terrible preparation 
for pressing him to death, his courage gave way, and he told the Marshal o 
Court that he would not have given so much trouble had he been assure« 
of not being hanged in chains. He was then tried, condemned, and executeci 
with others of his crew. 

It is said that the lady whose affections Gow had engaged went up to Lon- 
don to see him before his death, and that, arriving too late, she had the cour 
age to request a sight of his dead body; and then, touching the hand of th 
corpse, she formally resumed the troth-plight which she had bestowec 
Without going through this ceremony, she could not, according to the super- 
stition of the country, have escaped a visit from the ghost of her departed 
lover, in the event of her bestowing upon any living suitor the faith whic! 
she had plighted to the dead. This part of the legend may serve as a curiou 
commentary on the fine Scottish ballad which begins, 

"There came a ghost to Margaret's door," <fec. 

The common account of this incident farther bears, that Mr Fea, th? 
spirited individual by whoso exertions Gow's career of iniquity was cu 
short, was so far from receiving any reward from Government, that he coul 
not obtain even countenance enough to protect hiin against a variety of shai 
suits, raised against him by Newgate solicitors, who acted in the name t 
GOW, and others of tlie pirate crew; and the various expenses, vexatious pre 
secutions, and other legal consequences, in which his gallant exploit involve 
him, utterly ruined his fortune and his family ; making his memory a notabl . 
example to all who shall in future take pirates on their own authority. 

It is to be supposed, for the honour of George the First's Government, 
that the last circumstance, as well as the dates, and other particulars of the 
commonly received story, are inaccurate, since, they will be found totally 
irreconcilable with the following veracious narrative, compiled from materials 
to which he himself alone has had access, by 

The Author or Waverley. 



THE PIRATE. 



CHAPTER I. 

The storm had ceased its wintry roar, 

Hoarse dash the billows of the sea ; 
But who on Thule's desert shore, 

Cries, Have I burnt my harp for thee ? 

Macniel. 

That long, narrow, and irregular island, usually called the Mainland 
of Zetland, because it is by far the largest of that Archipelago, termi- 
nates, as is well known to the mariners who navigate the stormy seas 
which surround the Thule of the ancients, in a cliff of immense height, 
entitled Sumburgh-Head, which presents its bare scalp and naked sides 
to the weight of a tremendous surge, forming the extreme point of the 
isle to the south-east. This lofty promontory is constantly exposed to 
the current of a strong and furious tide, which, setting in betwixt the 
Orkney and Zetland Islands, and running with force only inferior to 
that of the Pentland Firth, takes its name from the headland we have 
mentioned, and is called the Roost of Sumburgh ; roost being the 
phrase assigned in these isles to currents of this description. 

On the land side, the promontory is covered with short grass, and 
slopes steeply down to a little isthmus, upon which the sea has en- 
croached in creeks, which, advancing from either side of the island, 
gradually work their way forward, and seem as if in a short time they 
would form a junction, and altogether insulate Sumburgh-Head, when 
what is now a cape will become a lonely mountain islet, severed from 
the mainland, of which it is at present the terminating extremity. 

Man, however, had in former days considered this as a remote or 
unlikely event ; for a Norwegian Chief of other times, or, as other ac- 
counts said, and as the name of Jarlshof seemed to imply, an ancient 
Earl of the Orkneys had selected this neck of land as the place for 
establishing a mansion-house. It has been long entirely deserted, and 
the vestiges only can be discerned with difficulty ; for the loose sand, 
borne on the tempestuous gales of those stormy regions, has overblown, 
and almost buried, the ruins of the buildings ; but in the end of the 
seventeenth century, a part of the Earl's mansion was still entire and 
habitable. It was a rude building of rough stone, with nothing about 



2 THE PIRATE. 

it to gratify the eye, or to excite the imagination ; a large old-fashioned 
narrow house, with a very steep roof, covered with flags composed of 
gray sandstone, would perhaps convey the best idea of the place to a 
modern reader. The windows were few, very small in size, and distri- 
buted up and down the building with utter contempt or regularity. 
Against the main structure had rested, in former times, certain smaller 
compartments of the mansion-house, containing offices, or subordinate 
apartments, necessary for the Earl's retainers and menials. But these 
had become ruinous ; and the rafters had been taken down for fire- 
wood, or for other purposes ; the walls had given way in many places ; 
and, to complete the devastation, the sand had already drifted amongst 
the ruins, and filled up what had been once the chambers they con- 
tained, to the depth of two or three feet. 

Amid this desolation, the inhabitants of Jarlshof had contrived, by- 
constant labour and attention, to keep in order a few roods of land, 
which had been enclosed as a garden, and which, sheltered by the walls 
of the house itself from the relentless sea-blast, produced such vegetables 
as the climate could brin^ forth, or rather as the sea-gale would permit 
to grow ; for these islands experience even less of the rigour of cold 
than is encountered on the mainland of Scotland ; but, unsheltered by 
a wall of some sort or other, it is scarce possible to raise even the most 
ordinary culinary vegetables ; and as for shrubs or trees, they are 
entirely out of the question, such is the force of the sweeping sea- 
blast. 

At a short distance from the mansion, and near to the sea-beach, 
just where the creek forms a sort of imperfect harbour, in which lay 
three or four fishing-boats, there were a few most wretched cottages for 
the inhabitants and tenants of the township of Jarlshof, who held the 
whole district of the landlord upon such terms as were in those days 
usually granted to persons of this description, and which, of course, 
were hard enough. The landlord himself resided upon an estate which 
he possessed in a more eligible situation, in a different part of the 
island, and seldom visited his possessions at Sumburgh-Head. He was 
an honest, plain Zetland gentleman, somewhat passionate, the neces- 
sary result of being surrounded by dependents ; and somewhat over- 
convivial in his habits, the consequence, perhaps, of having too much 
time at his disposal ; but frank-tempered and generous to his people, 
and kind and hospitable to strangers. He was descended also of an old 
and noble Norwegian family, a circumstance which rendered him dearer 
to the lower orders, most of whom are of the same race ; while the 
lairds, or proprietors, are generally of Scottish extraction, who, at that 
early period, were still considered as strangers and intruders. Magnus 
Troil, who deduced his descent from the very Earl who was supposed to 
have founded Jarlshof, was peculiarly of this opinion. 

The present inhabitants of Jarlshof had experienced, on several occa- 
sions, the kindness and good-will of the proprietor of the territory. 
"When Mr Mertoun— such was the name of the present inhabitant of 
the old mansion — first arrived in Zetland, some years before the story 
commences, he had been received at the house of Mr Troil with that 
warm and cordial hospitality for which the islands are distinguished. 
No one asked liiin whence he came, where ho was going, what was his 



THE PIEATE. 3 

purpose in visiting so remote a corner of the empire, or what was likely 
to be the term of his stay. He arrived a perfect stranger, yet was in- 
stantly overpowered by a succession of invitations ; and in each house 
which he visited, he found a home as long as he chose to accept it, and 
lived as one of the family, unnoticed and unnoticing, until he thought 
proper to remove to some other dwelling. This apparent indifference 
to the rank, character, and qualities of their guest did not arise from 
apathy on the part of his kind hosts, for the islanders had their full 
share of natural curiosity ; but their delicacy deemed it would be an 
infringement upon the laws of hospitality to ask questions which their 
guest might have found it difficult or unpleasing to answer ; and instead 
of endeavouring, as is usual in other countries, to wring out of Mr 
Mertoun such communications as he might find it agreeable to with- 
hold, the considerate Zetlanders contented themselves with eagerly 
gathering up such scraps of information as could be collected in the 
course of conversation. 

But the rock in an Arabian desert is not more reluctant to afford 
water, than Mr Basil Mertoun was niggard in imparting his confidence 
even incidentally ; and certainly the politeness of the gentry of Thule 
was never put to a more severe test than when they felt that good- 
breeding enjoined them to abstain from inquiring into the situation of 
so mysterious a personage. 

All that was actually known of him was easily summed up. Mr Mer- 
toun had come to Lerwick, then rising into some importance, but not 
yet acknowledged as the principal town of the island, in a Dutch vessel, 
accompanied only by his son, a handsome boy of about fourteen years 
old. His own age might exceed forty. The Dutch skipper introduced 
him to some of the very good friends with whom he used to barter gin 
and gingerbread for little Zetland bullocks, smoked geese, and stock- 
ings of lambs- wool; and although Meinheer could only say, that 
" Meinheer Mertoun hab bay his bassage like one gentlemans, and hab 
given a Kreitz-dollar beside to the crew," this introduction served to 
establish the Dutchman's passenger in a respectable circle of acquaint- 
ances, which gradually enlarged, as it appeared that the stranger was a 
man of considerable acquirements. 

This discovery was made almost per force; for Mertoun was as un- 
willing to speak upon general subjects as upon his own affairs. But 
he was sometimes led' into discussions which showed, as it were in 
spite of himself, the scholar and the man of the world ; and, at other 
times, as if in requital of the hospitality which he experienced, he 
seemed to compel himself, against his fixed nature, to enter into the 
society of those around him, especially when it assumed the grave, 
melancholy, or satirical cast, which best suited the temper of his own 
mind. Upon such occasions, the Zetlanders were universally of opinion 
that he must have had an excellent education, neglected only in one 
striking particular, namely, that Mr Mertoun scarce knew the stem 
of a ship from the stern ; and in the management of a boat, a cow 
could not be more ignorant. It seemed astonishing such gross ignorance 
of the most necessary art of life (in the Zetland Isles at least) should 
subsist along with his accomplishments in other respects; but so 
it was. 



4 THE PIRATE. 

Unless called forth in the manner we have mentioned, the habits of 
Basil Mertoun were retired and gloomy. From loud mirth he instantly 
fled ; and even the moderated cheerfulness of a friendly party had the 
invariable effect of throwing him into deeper dejection than even his 
usual demeanour indicated. 

Women are always particularly desirous of investigating mystery, 
and of alleviating melancholy, especially Avhen these circumstances are 
united in a handsome man about the prime of life. It is possible, 
therefore, that amongst the fair-haired and blue-eyed daughters of Thule 
this mysterious and pensive stranger might have found some one to 
take upon herself the task of consolation, had he shown any willingness 
to accept such kindly offices ; but, far from doing so, he seemed even 
to shim the presence of the sex, to which in our distresses, whether of 
mind or body, we generally apply for pity and comfort. 
_ To these peculiarities Mr Mertoun added another, which was par- 
ticularly disagreeable to his host and principal patron, Magnus Troil. 
This magnate of Zetland, descended by the father's side, as we have 
already said, from an ancient Norwegian family by the marriage of its 
representative with a Danish lady, held the devout opinion that a cup 
of Geneva or Nantz was specific against all cares and afflictions what- 
ever. These were remedies to which Mr Mertoun never applied ; his 
drink was water, and water alone, and no persuasion or entreaties could 
induce him to taste any stronger beverage than was afforded by the 
pure stream. Now this Magnus Troil could not tolerate ; it was a de- 
fiance to the ancient northern laws of conviviality, which, for his own 
part, he had so rigidly observed, that although he was wont to assert 
that he had never in his life gone to bed drank (that is, in his own 
sense of the word), it would have been impossible to prove that he had 
ever resigned himself to slumber in a state of actual and absolute 
sobriety. It may be therefore asked, What did this stranger bring into 
society to compensate the displeasure given by his austere and abstemi- 
ous habits ? He had, in the first place, that manner and self-importance 
which mark a person of some consequence ; and although it was con- 
jectured that he coidd not be rich, yet it was certainly known by his 
expenditure that neither was he absolutely poor. He had, besides, 
some powers of conversation, when, as we have already hinted, he chose 
to exert them, and his misanthropy or aversion to the business and in- 
tercourse of ordinary life Avas often expressed in an antithetical manner, 
which often passed for wit, when better was not to be had. Above all, 
Mr Mertoun s secret seemed impenetrable, and his presence had all the 
interest of a riddle, which men love to read over and over, because they 
cannot find out the meaning of it. 

Notwithstanding these recommendations, Mertoun differed in so 
.many material points from his host, that after he had been for some 
time a guest at his principal residence, Magnus Troil was agreeably 
surprised Avhen, one evening after they had sat two hours in absolute 
silence, drinking brandy and water, — that is, Magnus drinking the 
alcohol, and Mertoun the element, — the guest asked his host's per- 
mission to occupy, as his tenant, this deserted mansion of Jarlshof, at 
the extremity of the territory called Dunrossness, and situated just 
beneath Sumburgh-IIead. " I shall be handsomely rid of him," quoth 



THE PIRATE 5 

Magnus to himself, " and his kill-joy visage will never again stop the 
bottle in its round. His departure will ruin me in lemons, how- 
ever, for his mere look was quite sufficient to sour a whole ocean of 
punch." 

Yet the kind-hearted Zetlander generously and disinterestedly re- 
monstrated with Mr Mertoun on the solitude and inconveniences to 
which he was about to subject himself. " There were scarcely," he 
said, " even the most necessary articles of furniture in the old house — 
there was no society within many miles — for provisions, the principal 
article of food would be sour sillocks, and his only company gulls and 
gannets." 
. " My good friend," replied Mertoun, " if you coidd have named a 
circumstance which Avould render the residence more eligible to me than 
any other, it is that there would be neither human luxury nor human 
society near the place of my retreat ; a shelter from the weather for 
my own head, and for the boy's, is all I seek for. So name your rent, 
Mr Troil, and let me be your tenant at Jarlshof." 

" Rent ?" answered the Zetlander ; " why, no great rent for an old 
house which no one has lived in since my mother's time— God rest 
her !— and as for shelter, the old walls are thick enough, and will bear 
many* a bang yet. But, Heaven love you, Mr Mertoun, think what 
you are purposing. For one of us to live at Jarlshof were a wild 
scheme enough ; but you, who are from another country, whether 
English, Scotch, or Irish, no one can tell " 

" Nor does it greatly matter," said Mertoun, somewhat abruptly. 

" Not a herring's scale," answered the Laird ; " only that I like you 
the better for being no Scot, as I trust you are not one. Hither they 
have come like the clack-geese — every chamberlain has brought over a 
flock of his own name, and his own hatching, for what I know, and 
here they roost for ever — catch them returning to their own barren 
Highlands or Lowlands, when once they have tasted our Zetland beef, 
and seen our bonny voes and lochs. No, sir" (here Magnus proceeded 
with great animation, sipping from time to time the half-diluted spirit, 
which at the same time animated his resentment against the intruders, 
and enabled him to endure the mortifying reflection which it suggested), 
— " No, sir, the ancient days and the genuine manners of these Islands 
are no more ; for our ancient possessors, — our Patersons, our Feas, our 
Schlagbrenners, our Thorbioms, have given place to Giffords, Scotts, 
Mouats, men whose names bespeak them or their ancestors strangers 
to the soil which we the Troils have inhabited long before the days of 
Turf-Einar, who first taught these Isles the mystery of binning peat 
for fuel, and who has been handed down to a grateful posterity by a 
name which records the discovery." 

This was a subject upon which the potentate of Jarlshof was usually 
very diffuse, and Mertoun saw him enter upon it with pleasure, because 
he knew he should not be called upon to contribute any aid to the con- 
versation, and might therefore indulge his own saturnine humour while 
the Norwegian Zetlander declaimed on the change of times and inhabi- 
tants. But just as Magnus had arrived at the melancholy conclusion, 
how probable it was, that in another century scarce a merk — scarce 
even an ure of land, would be in the pQssession of the Norse inhabitants, 



6 THE PIRATE. 

the true Udallers 1 of Zetland," he recollected the circumstances of his 
guest, and stopped suddenly short. " I do not say all this," he added, 
interrupting himself, " as if I were unwilling that you should settle on 
my estate, Mr Mertoun — But for Jarlshof — the place is a wild one — 
Come from where you will, I warrant you will say, like other travellers, 
you came from a better climate than ours, for so say you all. And yet 
you think of a retreat which the very natives run away from. "NY ill 
you not take your glass P 1 — (This was to be considered as interjec- 
tional) — " then here's to you." 

" My good sir," answered Mertoun, " I am indifferent to climate ; 
if there is but air enough to fill my lungs, I care not if it be the breath 
of Arabia or of Lapland." 

" Air enough you may have," answered Magnus, " no lack of that — 
somewhat damp, strangers allege it to be, but we know a corrective for 
that — Here's to you, Mr Mertoun — You must learn to do so, and to 
smoke a pipe ; and then, as you say, you will find the air of Zetland 
equal to that of Arabia. But have you seen Jarlshof ?" 

The stranger intimated that he had not. 

" Then," replied Magnus, " you have no idea of your undertaking. 
If you think it a comfortable roadstead like this, with the house situated 
on the side of an inland voe, 2 that brings the herrings up to your door, 
you are mistaken, my heart. At Jarlshof you will see nought but the 
wild waves tumbling on the bare rocks, and the Bx)ost of Sumburgh 
running at the rate of fifteen knots an hour". 

" I shall see nothing at least of the current of human passions," 
replied Mertoun. 

" You will hear nothing but the clanging and screaming of scarts, 
sheer-waters, and seagulls, from daybreak till sunset." 

" I will compound, my friend," replied the stranger, " so that I do 
not hear the chattering of women's tongues." 

" Ah," said the Norman, " that is because you hear just now my 
little Minna and Brenda singing in the garden with your Mordaunt. 
N ow, I would rather listen to their little voices than the skylark which 
I once heard in Caithness, or the nightingale that I have read of. — 
"What will the girls do for want of their playmate Mordaunt ?" 

" They will shift for themselves," answered Mertoun ; " younger or 
elder, they will find playmates or dupes. — But the question is, Mr Troil, 
will you let to me, as your tenant, this old mansion of Jarlshof?" 

" Gladly, since you make it your option to live in a spot so desolate." 

" And as for the rent ?" continued Mertoun. 

" The rent V replied Magnus ; " hum— why, you must have the bit 
of jjlaiitie cruivef which they once called a garden, and a right in the 
scathold } and a sixpeimy merk of land, that the tenants may fish for 
you ;— eight lispunds* of butter, and eight shillings sterling yearly, is 
not too much r 

1 The Udallers are the allodial possessors of Zetland, who hold their possessions 
under the old Norwegian law, instead of the feudal tenures introduced among them 
from Scotland. 

2 Salt-water lake. 

a See Note A. Plantie cruive. 

4 A lispund is ahout thirty pounds English, and the value is averaged hy Dr Edmon- 
ston at ten Bhillings sterling. 



THE PIRATE. 



Mr Mertoun agreed to terms so moderate, and from thenceforward 
resided chiefly at the solitary mansion which we have described in the 
beginning of this chapter, conforming not only without complaint, but, 
as it seemed, with a sullen pleasure, to all the privations which so wild 
and desolate a situation necessarily imposed on its inhabitant. 



CHAPTER II. 

"lis not alone the scene — the man, Anselmo, 
The man finds sympathies in these wild wastes, 
And roughly tumbling seas, which fairer views 
And smoother waves deny him. 

Ancient Drama. 

The few inhabitants of the township of Jarlshof had at first heard 
with alarm that a person of rank superior to their own was come to re- 
side in the ruinous tenement, which they still called the Castle. In 
those days (for the present times are greatly altered for the better) the 
presence of a superior, in such a situation, was almost certain to be at- 
tended with additional burdens and exactions, for which, under one pre- 
text or another, feudal customs furnished a thousand apologies. By 
each of these, a part of the tenants' hard- won and precarious profits was 
diverted for the use of their powerful neighbour and superior, the tacks- 
man, as he was called. But the sub-tenants speedily found tbat no op- 
pression of this kind was to be apprehended at the hands of Basil Mer- 
toun. His own means, whether large or small, were at least fully ade- 
quate to his expenses, which, so far as regarded his habits of life, were 
of the most frugal description. The luxuries of a few books, and. some 
philosophical instruments, with which he was supplied from London as 
occasion offered, seemed to indicate a degree of wealth unusual in these 
islands ; but, on the other hand, the table and the accommodations at 
Jarlshof did not exceed what was maintained by a Zetland proprietor 
of the most inferior description. 

The tenants of the hamlet troubled themselves very little about the 
quality of their superior, as soon as they found that their situation was 
rather to be mended than rendered worse by his presence; and, once 
relieved from the apprehension of his tyrannizing over them, they laid 
their heads together to make the most of him by various petty tricks of 
overcharge and extortion, which for a while the stranger submitted to 
with the most philosophic indifference. An incident, however, oc- 
curred, which put his character in a new light, and effectually checked 
all future efforts at extravagant imposition. 

A dispute arose in the kitchen of the Castle betwixt an old governante, 
who acted as housekeeper to Mr Mertoun, and Sweyn Erickson, as good 
a Zetlander as ever rowed a boat to the hoof fishing; 1 which dispute, as 
is usual in such cases, was maintained with such increasing heat and 
vociferation as to reach the ears of the master (as he was called), who, 
secluded in a solitary turret, was deeply employed in examining the con- 

1 i.e. The deep-sea fishing, in distinction to that which is practised along shore. 



8 THE PIRATE. 

tents of a new package of books from London, which, after long expec- 
tation, had found its way to Hull, from thence by a whaling vessel to 
Lerwick, and so to Jarlshof. With more than the usual thrill of in- 
dignation which indolent people always feel when roused into action 
on some unpleasant occasion, Mertoun descended to the scene of contest, 
and so suddenly, peremptorily, and strictly inquired the cause of dispute, 
that the parties, notwithstanding every evasion which they attempted, 
became unable to disguise from him that their difference respected the 
several interests to which the honest governante, and no less honest 
fisherman, were respectively entitled, in an overcharge of about one 
hundred per cent, on a bargain of rock-cod, purchased by the former 
from the latter, for the use of the family at Jarlshof. 

When this was fairly ascertained and confessed, Mr Mertoun stood 
looking upon the culprits with eyes in which the utmost scorn seemed 
to contend with awakening passion. " Hark you, ye old hag," said he 
at length to the housekeeper, " avoid my house this instant ! and know 
that I dismiss you, not for being a liar, a thief, and an ungrateful quean, — 
for these are qualities as proper to you as your name of woman, — but for 
daring in my house to scold above your breath. And for you, you 
rascal, who suppose you may cheat a stranger as you would flinch 1 a 
whale, know that I am well acquainted with the rights which, by delega- 
tion from your master, Magnus Troil, I can exercise over you, if I will. 
Provoke me to a certain pitch, and you shall learn, to your cost, I can 
break your rest as easily as you can interrupt my leisure. I know the 
meaning of scat 2 and wattle, and hawkhen, and hagalcf, and every other 
exaction by which your lords, 'in ancient and modern days, have wrung 
your withers; nor is there one of you that shall not rue the day that you 
could not be content with robbing me of my money but must also break 
in on my leisure with your atrocious northern clamour, that rivals in 
discord the screaming of a flight of Arctic gulls." 

Nothing better occurred to Sweyn, in answer to this objurgation, than 
the preferring a humble request that his honour would be pleased to 
keep the cod-fish without payment, and say no more about the matter; 
but by this time Mr Mertoun had worked up his passions into an un- 
governable rage, and with one hand he threw the money at the fisher- 
man's head, while with the other he pelted him out of the apartment 
with his own fish, which he finally flung out of doors after him. 

There was so much of appalling and "tyrannic fury in the stranger's 
manner on this occasion, that Sweyn neither stopped to collect the money 
nor take back his commodity, but fled at a precipitate rate to the small 
hamlet, to tell his comrades'that if they provoked Master Mertoun any 
farther, he would turn an absolute Pate Stewart 2 on their hand, and 
head and hang without either judgment or mercy. 

Hither also came the discarded housekeeper, to consult with her 
neighbours and kindred (for she too was a native of the village), what 
she should do to regain the desirable situation from which she had been 

i The operation of slicing the blubber from the bones of the whale is called, tech- 
nically, flinching. 

2 Meaning, probably, Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney, executed for tyranny and op- 
pression practised on the inhabitants of these remote islands, in the beginning of the 
seventeenth century. 



THE PIRATE. 9 

so suddenly expelled. The old Ranzellaar of the village, who had the 
voice most potential in the deliberations of the township, after hearing 
what had happened, pronounced that Sweyn Erickson had gone too far 
in raising the market upon Mr Mertoun; and that, whatever pretext the 
tacksman might assume for thus giving way to his anger, the real 
grievance must have been the charging the rock cod-fish at a penny in- 
stead of a halfpenny a-pound; he therefore exhorted all the community 
never to raise their exactions in future beyond the proportion of three- 
pence upon the shilling, at which rate their master at the Castle could 
not reasonably be expected to grumble, since, as he was disposed to do 
them no harm, it was reasonable to think that, in a moderate way, he 
had no objection to do them good. "And three upon twelve," said 
the experienced Ranzellaar, "is a decent and moderate profit, and will 
bring with it God's blessing and Saint Ronald's." 

Proceeding upon the tariff thus judiciously recommended to them, 
the inhabitants of Jarlshof cheated Mertoun m future only to the mo- 
derate extent of twenty-five per cent. ; a rate to which all nabobs, army 
contractors, speculators in the funds, and others, whom recent and rapid 
success has enabled to settle in the country upon a great scale, ought 
to submit, as very reasonable treatment at the hand of their rustic 
neighbours. Mertoun at least seemed of that opinion, for he gave him- 
self no further trouble upon the subject of his household expenses. 

The conscript fathers of Jarlshof, having settled their own matters, 
took next under their consideration the case of Swertha, the banished 
matron who had been expelled from the Castle, whom, as an experienced 
and useful ally, they were highly desirous to restore to her office of 
housekeeper, should that be found possible. But as their wisdom here 
failed them, Swertha, in despair, had recourse to the good offices of 
Mordaunt Mertoun, with whom she had acquired some favour by her 
knowledge in old Norwegian ballads, and dismal tales concerning the 
Trows or Drows (the dwarfs of the Scalds), with whom superstitious eld 
had peopled many a lonely cavern and brown dale in Dunrossness, as 
in every other district of Zetland. " Swertha," said the youth, " I can 
do but little for you, but you may do something for yourself. My 
father's passion resembles the fury of those ancient champions, those 
Berserkars, you sing songs about." 

" Ay, ay, fish of my heart," replied the old woman, with a pathetic 
whine ; " the Berserkars were champions who lived before the blessed 
days of Saint Olave, and who used to run like madmen on swords, and 
spears, and harpoons, and muskets, and snap them all into pieces, as a 
tinner 1 would go through a herring-net, and then, when the fury went 
off, they were as weak and unstable as water." 2 

"That's the very thing, Swertha," said Mordaunt. "Now, my 
father never likes to think of his passion after it is over, and is so much 
of a Berserkar that, let him be desperate as he will to-day, he will not 
care about it to-morrow. Therefore, he has not filled up your place in 
the household at the Castle, and not a mouthful of warm food has been 
dressed there since you went away, and not a morsel of bread baked, 
but we have lived just upon whatever cold thing came to hand. Now, 

1 Firmer, small whale. * See Note B. The Berserkars. 



10 tTHB PIRATE. 



Castle, 



Swertha, I will be your warrant, that if you go boldly up to the Castle, 
and enter upon the discharge of your duties as usual, you will never 
hear a single word from him. 

Swertha hesitated at first to obey this bold counsel. She said, " Tc 
her thinking, Mr Mertoun, when he was angry, looked more like a 
fiend than any Berserkar of them all ; that the fire flashed from his 
eyes, and the foam flew from his lips ; and that it would be a plain 
tempting of Providence to put herself again in such a venture." 

Button the encouragement which she received from the son, she 
determined at length once more to face the parent ; and dressing her- 
self in her ordinary household attire, for so Mordaunt particularly re- 
commended, she slipped into the Castle, and presently resuming the 
various and numerous occupations which devolved on her, seemed as 
deeply engaged in household cares as if she had never been out of office. 

The first day of her return to her duty, Swertha made no appearance 
in presence of her master, but trusted that, after his three days' 
diet on cold meat, a hot dish, dressed with the best of her simple skill, 
might introduce her favourably to his recollection. When Mordaunt 
had reported that his father had taken no notice of this change of diet, 
and when she herself observed that, in passing and repassing him occa- 
sionally, her appearance produced no effect upon her singular master, 
she began to imagine that the whole affair had escaped Mr Mertoun' s 
memory, and was active in her duty as usual. Neither was she con- 
vinced of the contrary until one day, when, happening somewhat to 
elevate her tone in a dispute with the other maid-servant, her master, 
who at that time passed the place of contest, eyed her with a strong 
glance, and pronounced the single word Remember, in a tone which 
taught Swertha the government of her tongue for many weeks after. 

If Mertoun was whimsical in his mode of governing his household, 
he seemed no less so in his plan of educating his son. He showed the 
youth but few symptoms of parental affection; yet, in his ordinary 
state of mind, the improvement of Mordaunt's education seemed to be 
the utmost object of his life. He had both books and information 
sufficient to discharge the task of tutor in the ordinary branches of 
knowledge ; and in this capacity was regular, calm, and strict, not to 
say severe, in exacting from his pupil the attention necessary for his 
profiting. But in the perusal of "history, to which their attention was 
frequently turned, as well as in the study of classic authors, there often 
occurred facts or sentiments which produced an instant effect upon 
Mertoun's mind, and brought on him suddenly what Swertha, Sweyn, 
and even Mordaunt, came to distinguish by the name of his dark hour. 
He was aware, in the usual case, of its approach, and retreated to an 
inner apartment, into which he never permitted even Mordaunt to 
enter. Here he would abide in seclusion for days, and even weeks, 
only coming out at uncertain times to take such food as they had taken 
care to leave within his reach, which he used in wonderfully small 
quantities. At other times, and especially during the winter solstice, 
when almost every person spends the gloomy time within doors in 
feasting and merriment, this unhappy man would wrap himself in a 
dark-coloured sea-cloak, and wander "out along the stormy beach, or 
upon the desolate heath, indulging his own gloomy and wayward 



THE MEATS* 11 

reveries under the inclement sky, the rather that he was then most 
sure to wander unencountered and unobserved. 

As Mordaunt grew older, he learned to note the particular signs 
which preceded these fits of gloomy despondency, and to direct such 
precautions as might insure his unfortunate parent from ill-timed in- 
terruption (which had always the effect of driving him to fury), while, 
at the same time, full provision was made for his subsistence. Mor- 
launt perceived that at such periods the melancholy fit of his father 
was greatly prolonged, if he chanced to present himself to his eyes while 
the dark hour was upon him. Out of respect, therefore, to his parent, 
as well as to indulge the love of active exercise and of amusement 
natural to his period of life, Mordaunt used often to absent himself 
altogether from the mansion of Jarlshof, and even from the district, 
secure that his father, if the dark hour passed away in his absence, 
would be little inclined to inquire how his son had disposed of his leisure, 
so that he was sure he had not watched his own weak moments ; that 
being the subject on which he entertained the utmost jealousy. 

At such times, therefore, all the sources of amusement which the 
country afforded were open to the younger Mertoun, who, in these in- 
tervals of his education, had an opportunity to give full scope to the 
energies of a bold, active, and daring character. He was often engaged 
with the youth of the hamlet in those desperate sports, to which the 
"dreadful trade of the samphire-gatherer" is like a walk upon level 
ground — often joined those midnight excursions upon the face of the 
giddy cliffs, to secure the eggs or the young of the sea-fowl ; and in 
these daring adventures displayed an address, presence of mind, and 
activity, which, in one so young, and not a native of the country, 
astonished the oldest fowlers. 1 

At other times, Mordaunt accompanied Sweyn and other fishermen 
in their long and perilous expeditions to the distant and deep sea, 
learning imder their direction the management of the boat, in which 
they equal, or exceed, perhaps, any natives of the British empire. 
This exercise had charms for Mordaunt independently of the fishing 
alone. 

At this time, the old Norwegian sagas were much remembered, and 
often rehearsed, by the fishermen, who still preserved among them- 
selves the ancient Norse tongue, which was the speech of their fore- 
fathers. In the dark romance of those Scandinavian tales lay much 
that was captivating to a youthful ear ; ' and the classic fables of anti- 
quity were rivalled at least, if not excelled, in Mordaunt's opinion, by 
the strange legends of Berserkars, of Sea-kings, of dwarfs, giants, and 
sorcerers, which he heard from the native Zetlanders. Often the 
scenes around him were assigned as the localities of wild poems, which, 
half recited, half chanted, by voices as hoarse, if not so loud, as the 
waves over which they floated, pointed out the very bay on which they 

1 Fatal accidents, however, sometimes happen. When I visited the Fair Isle in 
1814, a poor lad of fourteen had been killed by a fall from the rocks about a fortnight 
before our arrival. The accident happened almost within sight of his mother, who 
was casting peats at no great distance. The body fell into the sea, and was seen no 
more. But the islanders account this an honourable mode of death; and as the 
children begin the practice of climbing very early, fewer accidents occur than might 
be expected. 



12 THE PIRATE. 

sailed as the scene of a bloody sea-fight ; the scarce-seen heap of stones 
that bristled over the projecting cape, as the dun, or castle, of some 

fjotent earl or noted pirate ; the distant and solitary gray stone on the 
onely moor, as marking the grave of a hero ; the wild cavern, up 
■which the sea rolled in heavy, broad, and unbroken billows, as the 
dwelling of some noted sorceress. 1 

The ocean also had its mysteries, the effect of which was aided by 
the dim twilight, through which it was imperfectly seen for more than 
half the year. Its bottomless depths and secret caves contained, accord- 
ing to the account of Sweyn and others skilled in legendary lore, such 
wonders as modern navigators reject with disdain. In the quiet moon- 
light bay, where the waves came rippling to the shore, upon a bed of 
smooth sand intermingled with shells, the mermaid was still seen to 
glide along the waters by moonlight, and, mingling her voice with the 
sighing breeze ? was often heard to sing of subterranean wonders, or to 
chant prophecies of future events. The kraken, that hugest of living 
things, was still supposed to cumber the recesses of the Northern Ocean ; 
and often, when some fog-bank covered the sea at a distance, the eye 
of the experienced boatman saw the horns of the monstrous leviathan 
welking and waving amidst the wreaths of mist, and bore away with all 
press of oar and sail, lest the sudden suction, occasioned by the sinking 
of the monstrous mass to the bottom, should drag within the grasp of 
its multifarious feelers his own frail skiff. The sea-snake was also 
known, which, arising out of the depths of ocean, stretches to the skies 
his enormous neck, covered with a mane like that of a war-horse, and 
with his broad glittering eyes, raised mast-head high, looks out, as it 
seems, for plunder or for victims. 

Many prodigious stories of these marine monsters, and of many others 
less known, were then universally received among the Zetlanders, 
whose descendants have not as yet by any means abandoned faith in 
them. 2 

Such legends are, indeed, everywhere current amongst the vulgar ; 
but the imagination is far more powerfully affected by them on the deep 
and dangerous seas of the north, amidst precipices and headlands, many 
hundred feet in height,— amid perilous straits, and currents, and ed- 
dies, — long sunken reefs of rock, over which the vivid ocean foams and 
boils, — dark caverns, to whose extremities neither man nor skiff has 
ever ventured, — lonely, and often uninhabited isles, — and occasionally 
the ruins of ancient northern fastnesses, dimly seen by the feeble light 
of the Arctic winter. To Mordaunt, who had much of romance in his 
disposition, these superstitions formed a pleasing and interesting exer- 
cise of the imagination, while, half doubting, half inclined to believe, 
he listened to the tales chanted concerning these wonders of nature, 
and creatures of credulous belief, told in the rude but energetic language 
of the ancient Scalds. 

But there wanted not softer and lighter amusement, that might seem 
better suited to Mordaunt's age than the Avild tales and rude exercises 
which Ave have already mentioned. The season of winter, when, from 
the shortness of the daylight, labour becomes impossible, is in Zetland the 

Sec Note C. Norte Fragments. 2 See Note D. Monsters of the Northern Sea, 



THE PIRATE. 13 

time of revel, feasting, and merriment. Whatever the fishermen has 
been able to acquire during summer, was expended, and often wasted, 
in maintaining the mirth and hospitality of his hearth during this 
period ; while the landholders and gentlemen of the island gave double 
loose to their convivial and hospitable dispositions, thronged their 
houses with guests, and drove away the rigour of the season with jest, 
glee, and song, the dance, and the wine-cup. 

Amid the revels of this merry, though rigorous season, no youth 
added more spirit to the dance, or glee to the revel, than the young 
stranger, Mordaunt Mertoun. When his father's state of mind per- 
mitted, or indeed required, his absence, he wandered from house to 
house a welcome guest wherever he came, and lent his willing voice to the 
song, and his foot to the revel. A boat, or, if the weather, as was often 
the case, permitted not that convenience, one of the numerous ponies, 
which, straying in hordes about the extensive moors, may be said to be 
at any man's command who can catch them, conveyed him from the 
mansion of one hospitable Zetlander to that of another. None excelled 
him in performing the warlike sword-dance, a species of amusement 
which had been derived from the habits of the ancient Norsemen. He 
could play upon the gue, and upon the common violin, the melancholy 
and pathetic tunes peculiar to the country ; and with great spirit and 
execution could relieve their monotony with the livelier airs of the 
North of Scotland. When a party set forth as maskers, or, as they are 
called in Scotland, guizards, to visit some neighbouring Laird, or rich 
Udaller, it augured well of the expedition if Mordaunt Mertoun could 
be prevailed upon to undertake the office of skudler, or leader of the 
band. Upon these occasions, full of fun and frolic, he led his retinue 
from house to house, bringing mirth where he went, and leaving regret 
when he departed. Mordaunt became thus generally known, and be- 
loved as generally, through most of the houses composing the patriar- 
chal community of the Main Isle ; but his visits were most frequently 
and most willingly paid at the mansion of his father's landlord and pro- 
tector, Magnus Troil. 

It was not entirely the hearty and sincere welcome of the worthy old 
Magnate, nor the sense that he was in effect his father's patron, which 
occasioned these frequent visits. The hand of welcome was indeed re- 
ceived as eagerly as it was sincerely given, Avhile the ancient Udaller, 
raising himself in his huge chair, whereof the inside was lined with 
well-dressed seal-skins, and the outside composed of massive oak, carved 
by the rude graving-tool of some Hamburgh carpenter, shouted forth 
his welcome in a tone, which might, in ancient times, have hailed the 
return of Ioul, the highest festival of the Goths. There was metal yet 
more attractive, and younger hearts, whose welcome, if less loud, was 
as sincere as that of the jolly Udaller. But it is matter which ou^ht 
not to be discussed at the conclusion of a chapter. 



14 THE PIRATB. 



CHAPTER III. 

u Oil, Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, 
They were twa bonny lasses; 
They Digged a house on yon burn-brae, 
And bheekit it ower wi' rashes. 

Fair Bessy Bell I looed yestreen, 

And thought I ne'er could alter; 
But Mary Gray's twa pawky een 

Have garr'd my fancy falter.". 

Scots Song. 

We have already mentioned Minna and Brenda, the daughters of 
"Magnus Troil. Their mother had been dead for many years, and they 
were now two beautiful girls, the eldest only eighteen, which might be 
a year or two younger than Mordaunt Mertoun, the second about 
seventeen. They were the joy of their father's heart, and the light of 
his old eyes ; and although indulged to a degree which might have en- 
dangered his comfort and their own, they repaid his affection with a 
love, into which even blind indulgence had not introduced slight regard, 
or feminine caprice. The difference of their tempers and of their com- 
plexions was singularly striking, although combined, as is usual, with a 
certain degree of family resemblance. 

The mother of these maidens had been a Scottish lady from the 
Highlands of Sutherland, the orphan of a noble chief, who, driven from 
his own country during the feuds of the seventeenth century, had found 
shelter in those peaceful islands, which, amidst poverty and seclusion, 
were thus far happy, that they remained unvexed by discord, and un- 
stained by civil broil. The father (his name was Saint Clair) pined for 
his native glen, his feudal tower, his clansmen, and his fallen authority, 
and died not Jong after his arrival in Zetland. The beauty of his 
orphan daughter, despite her Scottish lineage, melted the stout heart 
of Magnus Troil. He sued and was listened to, and she became his 
bride ; but dying in the fifth year of their union, left him to mourn his 
brief period of domestic happiness. 

From her mother, Minna inherited the stately form and dark eyes, 
the raven locks and finely-pencilled brows, which showed she was, on 
one side at least, a stranger to the blood of Thule. Her cheek, — 

"Oh call it fair, not pale!" 

was so slightly and delicately tinged with the rose, that many thought 
the lily had an undue proportion in her complexion. But in that pre- 
dominance of the paler flower there was nothing sickly or languid ; it 
was the true natural colour of health, and corresponded in a peculiar 
degree with features, which seemed calculated to express a contempla- 
tive and high-minded character. When Minna Troil heard a tale of 
wo or of injustice, it was then her blood rushed to her cheeks^ and 
showed plainly how warm it beat, notwithstanding the generally serious, 
composed, and retiring disposition which her countenance and de- 
meanour seemed to exhibit. If strangers sometimes conceived that 
these fine features were clouded by melancholy, for which her age and 



THE PIRATE. 15 

situation could scarce have given occasion, they were soon satisfied, 
upon farther acquaintance, that the placid, mild quietude of her dispo- 
sition, and the mental energy of a character which was but little in- 
terested in ordinary and trivial occurrences, was the real cause of her 
gravity ; and most men, when they knew that her melancholy had no 
ground in real sorrow, and was only the aspiration of a soul bent on 
more important objects than those by which she was surrounded, might 
have wished her whatever could add to her happiness, but could scarce 
have desired that, graceful as she was in her natural and unaffected 
seriousness, she should change that deportment for one more gay. In 
short, notwithstanding our wish to have avoided that hackneyed simile 
of an angel, we cannot avoid saying there was something in the serious 
beauty of her aspect, in the measured yet graceful ease of her motions, 
in the music of her voice, and the serene purity of her eye, that seemed 
as if Minna Troil belonged naturally to some higher ana better sphere, 
and was only the chance visitant of a world that was not worthy of 
her. 

The scarcely less beautiful, equally lovely, and equally innocent 
Brenda, was of a complexion as differing from her sister, as they 
differed in character, taste, and expression. Her profuse locks were of 
that paly brown which receives from the passing sunbeam a tinge of 
gold, but darkens again when the ray has passed from it. Her eye, 
her mouth, the beautiful row of teetn, which in her innocent vivacity 
were frequently disclosed ; the fresh, yet not too bright glow of a healthy 
complexion, tinging a skin like the drifted snow, spoke her genuine 
Scandinavian descent. A fairy form, less tall than that of Minna, but 
still more finely moulded into symmetry, — a careless, and almost child- 
ish lightness of step, — an eye that seemed to look on every object with 
pleasure, from a natural and serene cheerfulness of disposition, attracted 
even more general admiration than the charms of her sister, though 
perhaps that which Minna did excite might be of a more intense as 
well as a more reverential character. 

The dispositions of these lovely sisters were not less different than 
their complexions. In the kindly affections, neither could be said to 
excel the other, so much were they attached to their father and to each 
other. But the cheerfulness of Brenda mixed itself with the everyday 
business of life, and seemed inexhaustible in its profusion. The less 
buoyant spirit of her sister appeared to bring'to society a contented wish 
to be interested and pleased with what was going forward, but was 
rather placidly carried along with the stream of mirth and pleasure, 
than disposed to aid its progress by any efforts of her own. She en- 
dured mirth, rather than enjoyed it ; and the pleasures in which she 
most delighted were those of a graver and more solitary cast. The 
knowledge which is derived from books was beyond her reach. Zetland 
afforded few opportunities, in those days, of studying the lessons be- 
queathed 

"By dead men to their kind ;" 

and Magnus Troil ; such as we have described him, was not a person 
within whose mansion the means of such knowledge were to be acquired. 
But the book of nature was before Minna, that noblest of volumes, 



16 THE PIRATE. 

where we are ever called to wonder and to admire, even when we can- 
not understand. The plants of those wild regions, the shells on the 
shores, and the long list of feathered clans which haunt their cliffs and 
eyeries, were as well known to Minna Troil as to the most experienced 
fowlers. Her powers of observation were wonderful, and little inter- 
rupted by other tones of feeling. The information which she acquired 
by habits of patient attention was indelibly riveted in a naturally 
powerful memory. She had also a high feeling for the solitary and 
melancholy grandeur of the scenes in which she was placed. The ocean 
in all its varied forms ©f sublimity and terror — the tremendous cliffs 
that resound to the ceaseless roar of the billows, and the clang of the sea- 
fowl, had for Minna a charm in almost every state in which the chang- 
ing seasons exhibited them. With the enthusiastic feelings proper to 
the romantic race from which her mother descended, the love of natural 
objects was to her a passion capable not only of occupying, but at times 
of agitating, her mind. Scenes upon which her sister looked with a 
sense of transient awe or emotion, which vanished on her return from 
witnessing them, continued long to fill Minna's imagination, not only 
in solitude and in the silence of the night, but in the hours of society. 
So that sometimes when she sat like a beautiful statue, a present mem- 
ber of the domestic circle, her thoughts were far absent, wandering 
on the wild sea-shore, and among the yet wilder mountains of her native 
isles. And yet when recalled to conversation, and mingling in it with 
interest, there were few to whom her friends were more indebted for en- 
hancing its enjoyments ; and although something in her manners 
claimed deference (notwithstanding her early youth) as well as affection- 
even her gay, lovely, and amiable sister was not more generally beloved 
than the more retired and pensive Minna. 

Indeed the two lovely sisters were not only the delight of their friends, 
but the pride of those islands, where the inhabitants of a certain rank 
were blended, by the remoteness of their situation and the general hos- 
pitality of their habits, into one friendly community. A wandering- 
poet and parcel-musician, who, after going through various fortunes, 
had returned to end his days as he could in his native islands, had cele- 
brated the daughters of Magnus in a poem, which he entitled Night 
and Day ; and, in his description of Minna, might almost be thought 
to have anticipated, though only in a rude outline, the exquisite lines 
of Lord Byron, — 

" She walks in beauty, like the night 

Of cloudless climes and starry skies; 
And all that's best of dark and bright 

Meet in her aspect and her eyes : 
Thus mellow'd to that tender light 

WhPch heaven to gaudy day denies." 

Their father loved the maidens both so well, that it might be difficult 
to say which he loved best ; saving that, perchance, he liked his graver 
damsel better in the walk without doors, and his merry maiden better 
by the fireside ; that he more desired the society of Minna when he was 
sad, and that of Brenda when he was mirthful ; and, what was nearly 
the same thing, preferred Minna before noon, and Brenda after the glass 
had circulated in the evening. 



THE PIEATE. 17 

But it was still more extraordinary, that the affections of Mordaunt 
Mertoim seemed to hover with the same impartiality as those of their 
father betwixt the two lovely sisters. From his boyhood, as we have 
noticed, he had been a frequent inmate of the residence of Magnus at 
Burgh- Wesxra, although it lay nearly twenty miles distant from Jarl- 
shof. The impassable character of the country betwixt these places, 
extending over hills covered with loose and quaking bog, and frequently 
intersected by the creeks or arms of the sea, which indent the island on 
either side, as well as by fresh-water streams and lakes, rendered the 
journey difficult, and even dangerous, in the dark season ; yet, as soon 
as the state of his father's mind warned him to absent himself, Mor- 
daunt, at every risk, and under every difficulty, was pretty sine to be 
found the next day at Burgh- Westra, having achieved his journey in 
less time than would have been employed perhaps by the most active 
native. 

He was of course set down as a wooer of one of the daughters of Mag- 
nus, by the public of Zetland ; and when the old Udaller's great parti- 
ality to the youth was considered, nobody doubted that he might aspire 
to the hand of either of those distinguished beauties, with as large a 
share of islets, rocky moorland, and shore-fishings, as might be the fitting 
portion of a favoured child, and with the presumptive prospect of pos- 
sessing half the domains of the ancient house of Troil, when their pre- 
sent owner should be no more. This seemed all a reasonable specula- 
tion, and, in theory at least, better constructed than many that are 
current through the Avorld as unquestionable facts. But, alas ! all that 
sharpness of observation which could be applied to the conduct of the 
parties failed to determine the main point, to which of the young per- 
sons, namely, the attentions of Mordaunt were peculiarly devoted. He 
seemed, in general, to treat them as an affectionate and attached brother 
might have treated two sisters, so equally dear to him that a breath 
would have turned the scale of affection. Or if at any time, which often 
happened, the one maiden appeared the more especial object of his at- 
tention, it seemed only to be because circumstances called her peculiar 
talents and disposition into more particular and immediate exercise. 

Both the sisters were accomplished in the simple music of the north, 
and Mordaunt, who was their assistant, and sometimes their preceptor, 
when they were practising this delightful art, might be now seen assist- 
ing Minna in the acquisition of those wild, solemn, and simple airs, to 
which scalds and harpers sung of old the deeds of heroes, and presently 
found equally active in teaching Brenda the more lively and compli- 
cated music, which their father's affection caused to be brought from 
the English or Scottish capital for the use of his daughters. And while 
conversing with them, Mordaunt, who mingled a strain of deep and 
ardent enthusiasm with the gay and ungovernable spirits of youth, was 
equally ready to enter into the wild and poetical visions of Minna, or 
into the lively and often humerous chat of her gayer sister. In short, 
so little did he seem to attach himself to either damsel exclusively, that 
he was sometimes heard to say, that Minna never looked so lovely as 
when her light-hearted sister had induced her, for the time, to forget her 
habitual gravity ; or Brenda so interesting, as when she sat listening, a 
subdued and affected partaker of the deep pathos of her sister Minna.' 



18 TIIE PIRATE. 

The public of the mainland were, therefore, to use the hunter's phrase, 
at fault in their further conclusions, and cou'd but determine, after long 
vacillating betwixt the maidens, that the young man was positively to 
marry one of them, but which of the two could only be determined when 
his approaching manhood, or the interference of stout old Magnus, the 
father, should teach Master Mordaunt Mertoun to know his own mind. 
"It was a pretty thing, indeed," they usually concluded, "that he, no 
native born, and possessed of no visible means of subsistence that is 
known to any one, should presume to hesitate, or affect to have the 
power of selection and choice, betwixt the two most distinguished beau- 
ties of Zetland. If they were Magnus Troil, they would soon be at the 
bottom of the matter" — and so forth. All which remarks were only 
whispered, for the hasty disposition of the Udaller had too much of the 
old Norse fire about it to render it safe for any one to become an un- 
authorized intermeddler with his family affairs ; and thus stood the re- 
lation of Mordaunt Mertoun to the family of Mr Troil of Burgh- Wes- 
tra, when the following incidents took place. 



CHAPTER IV. 

This is no pilgrim's morning— yon gray mist- 
Lies upon hill, and dale, and field, and forest, 
Like the dun wimple of a new-made widow; 
And, hy my faith, although my heart he soft, 
I'd rather hear that widow weep and sigh, 
And tell the virtues of the dear departed, 
Than, when the tempest sends his voice abroad, 
Be subject to its fury. 

The Double Nuptials. 

The spring was far advanced when, after a week spent in sport and 
festivity at Bnrgh-Westra, Mordaunt Mertoun bade adieu to the family, 
pleading the necessity of his return to Jarlshof. The proposal was 
combated by the maidens, and more decidedly by Magnus himself. He 
saw no occasion whatever for Mordaunt returning to Jarlshof. If his 
father desired to see him, which, by the way, Magnus did not believe, 
Mr Mertoun had only to throw himself into the stern of Sweyn's boat, 
or betake himself to a pony, if he liked a land journey better, and he 
would see not only his son, but twenty folk besides, who would be most 
happy to find that he had not lost the use of his tongue entirely during 
his long solitude ; " although I must own," added the worthy Udaller, 
" that when he lived among us, nobody ever made less use of it." 

Mordaunt acquiesced both in what respected his father's taciturnity, 
and his dislike to general society ; but suggested, at the same time, 
that the first circumstance rendered his own immediate return more 
necessary, as lie was the usual channel of communication betwixt his 
father and others ; and that the second corroborated the same necessity, 
since .Mr Mertoun's having no other society whatever seemed a weighty 
son's should bo restored to him without loss of time. 



THE PIRATE. 19 

As to his father's coming to Burgh- Westra, " they might as well," he 
said, " expect to see Sumburgh Cape come thither." 

" And that would be a cumbrous guest," said Magnus. " But you 
will stop for our dinner to-day ? There are the families of Muness, 
Quenaale, Thorslivoe, and I know not who else, are expected ; and, 
besides the thirty that were in house this blessed night, we shall have 
as many more as chamber and bower, and barn and boat-house, can 
furnish with beds, or with barley-straw, — and you will leave all this 
behind you!" 

" And the blithe dance at night," added Brenda, in a tone betwixt 
reproach and vexation; "and the young men from the Isle of Paba 
that are to dance the sword-dance, whom shall we find to match them, 
for the honour of the Main?" 

" There is many; a merry dancer on the mainland, Brenda," replied 
Morclaunt, " even if I should never rise on tiptoe again. And where 
good dancers are found, Brenda Troil will always find the best partner. 
I must trip it to-night through the Wastes of Dunrossness." 

" Do not say so, Mordaunt," said Minna, who during this conversa- 
tion had been looking from the window something anxiously ; ( \ go not, 
to-day at least, through the Wastes of Dunrossness." 

" And why not to-day, Minna," said Mordaunt laughing, "any more 
than to-morrow?" 

" Oh, the morning mist lies heavy upon yonder chain of isles, nor has 
it permitted us since day-break even a single glimpse of Fitiul-head, 
the lofty cape that concludes yon splendid range of mountains. The 
fowl are winging their way to the shore, and the shelldrake seems, 
through the mist, as large as the scart. 1 See, the very sheerwaters and. 
bonxies are making to the cliffs for shelter." 

" And they will ride out a gale against a king's frigate," said her 
father ; " there is foul weather when they cut and run." 

" Stay, then, with us," said Minna to her friend ; "the storm will 
be dreadful, yet it will be grand to see it from Burgh-Westra, if we 
have no friend exposed to its fury. See, the air is close and sultry, 
though the season is yet so early, and the day so calm, that not a 
windlestraw moves on the heath. Stay with us, Mordaunt ; the storm 
which these signs announce will be a dreadful one." 

" I must be gone the sooner," was the conclusion of Mordaunt, who 
could not deny the signs, which had not escaped, his own quick obser- 
vation. " If the storm be too fierce, I will abide for the night at 
Stourburgh." 

" What !" said Magnus ; " will you leave us for the new chamber- 




implements he has brought." 

* Ay, ay, ferlies make fools fain. I would like to know if his new 
plough will bear against a Zetland rock ?" answered Magnus. 

" I must not pass Stourburgh on the journey," said the youth, de* 

1 The cormorant; which may be seen frequently clashing in wild flight along the 
roosts and tides of Zetland, and yet more often drawn up in raifks on some ledge of 
rock, like a body of the Black Brunswickers in 1815. 



20 THE PIRATE. 

ferring to his patron's prejudice against innovation, "if this boding 
weather bring on tempest ; but if it only break in rain, as is most pro- 
bable, I am not likely to be melted in the wetting." 

" It will not soften into rain alone," said Minna ; " see how much 
heavier the clouds fall every moment, and see these weather-gaws that 
streak the lead-coloured mass with partial gleams of faded red and 
purple." 

" I see them all," said Mordaunt ; " but they only tell me I have no 
time to tarry here. Adieu, Minna ; I will send you the eagle's feathers, 
if an eagle can be found on Fair-isle or Foulah. And fare thee well, 
my pretty Brenda, and keep a thought for me, should the Paba men 
dance ever so well." 

" Take care of yourself, since go you will," said both sisters, to- 
gether. 

Old Magnus scolded them formally for supposing there was any dan- 
ger to an active young fellow from a spring gale, whether by sea or land ; 
yet ended by giving his own caution also to Mordaunt, advising him 
seriously to delay his journey, or at least to stop at Stourburgh. " For," 
said he, " second thoughts are best ; and as the Scottishman's howf lies 
right under your lee, why, take any port in a storm. But do not be 
assured to find the door on latch, let the storm blow ever so hard ; 
there are such matters as bolts and bars in Scotland, though, thanks to 
Saint Ronald, they are unknown here, save that great lock on the old 
Castle of Scalloway, that all men run to see — may be they make part 
of this man's improvements. But go, Mordaunt, since go you will. 
You should drink a stirrup-cup now, were you three years older, but 
boys should never drink, excepting after dinner ; I will drink it for 
you, that good customs may not be broken, or bad luck come of it. 
Here is your bonally, my lad." And so saying, he quaffed a rummer 
glass of brandy with as much impunity as if it had been spring water. 
Thus regretted and cautioned on all hands, Mordaunt took leave of the 
hospitable household, and looking back at the comforts with which it 
was surrounded, and the dense smoke that rolled upwards from its 
chimneys, he first recollected the guestless and solitary desolation of 
Jarlshof, then compared with the sullen and moody melancholy of his 
father's temper the warm kindness of those whom he was leaving, and 
could not refrain from a sigh at the thoughts which forced themselves 
on his imagination. 

The signs of the tempest did not dishonour the predictions of Minna. 
Mordaunt had not advanced three hours on his journey before the 
wind, which had been so deadly still in the morning, began at first to 
wail and sigh, as if bemoaning beforehand the evils which it might 
perpetrate in its fury, like a madman in the gloomy state of dejection 
which precedes his fit of violence ; then gradually increasing, the gale 
howled, raged, and roared, with the full fury of a northern storm. It 
was accompanied by showers of rain mixed with hail, that dashed with 
the most unrelenting rage against the hills and rocks with which the 
traveller was surrounded, distracting his attention, in spite of his utmost 
exertions, and rendering it very difficult for him to keep the direction 
of his journey in a country where there is neither road, nor even the 
slightest tract to direct the steps of the wanderer, and where he is often 



THE PIRATE 1 . 21 

interrupted by brooks as well as large pools of water, lakes, and lagoons. 
All these inland waters were now lashed into sheets of tumbling foam, 
much of which, carried off by the fury of the whirlwind, was mingled 
with the gale, and transported far from the waves of which it had 
lately made a part ; while the salt relish of the drift which was pelted 
against his face showed Mordaunt that the spray of the more distant 
ocean, disturbed to frenzy by the storm, was mingled with that of the 
inland lakes and streams. 

Amidst this hideous combustion of the elements, Mordaunt Mertoun 
struggled forward as one to whom such elemental war was familiar, 
and who regarded the exertions which it required to withstand its 
fury but as a mark of resolution and manhood. He felt even, as hap- 
pens usually to those who endure great hardships, that the exertion 
necessary to subdue them is in itself a kind of elevating triumph. To 
see and distinguish his path when the cattle were driven from the hill, 
and the very fowls from the firmament, was but the stronger proof of 
his own superiority. " They shall not hear of me at Burgh-Westra," 
said he to himself, "as they heard of old doited Ringan Ewenson's 
boat, that foundered betwixt roadstead and key. I am more of a 
cragsman than to mind fire or water, wave by sea, or quagmire by 
land." Thus he struggled on, buffeting with the storm, supplying the 
want of the usual signs by which travellers directed their progress (for 
rock, mountain, and headland were shrouded in mist and darkness) 
by the instinctive sagacity with which long acquaintance with these 
wilds had taught him to mark every minute object, which could serve 
in such circumstances to regulate his course. Thus, we repeat, he 
struggled onward, occasionally standing still, or even lying down, when 
the gust was most impetuous; making way against it when it was 
somewhat lulled, by a rapid and bold advance even in its very current; 
or, when this was impossible, by a movement resembling that of a 
vessel working to windward by short tacks, but never yielding one inch 
of the way which he had fought so hard to gain. 

Yet, notwithstanding Mordaunt' s experience and resolution, his 
situation was sufficiently uncomfortable, and even precarious ; not be- 
cause his sailor's jacKet and trowsers, the common dress of young men 
through these isles when on a journey, were thoroughly wet, for that 
might have taken place within the same brief time, in any ordinary 
day, in this watery climate ; but the real danger was, that, notwith- 
standing his utmost exertions, he made very slow way through brooks 
that were sending their waters all abroad, through morasses drowned 
in double deluges of moisture, which rendered all the ordinary passes 
more than usually dangerous, and repeatedly obliged the traveller to 
perform a considerable circuit, which in the usual case was unnecessary. 
Thus repeatedly baffled notwithstanding his youth and strength, Mor- 
daunt, after maintaining a dogged conflict with wind, rain, and the 
fatigue of a prolonged journey, was truly happy, when, not without 
having been more than once mistaken in his road, he at length found 
himself within sight of the house of Stourburgh, or Harfra ; for the 
names were indifferently given to the residence of Mr Triptolemus 
Yellowley, who was the chosen missionary of the Chamberlain of Ork- 
ney and Zetland, a speculative person, who designed, through the 



22 „ THE PIRATE. 

medium of Triptolemus, to introduce into the Ultima Thule of the 
Romans a spirit of improvement, which at that early period was scarce 
known to exist in Scotland itself. 

At length, and with much difficulty, Mordaunt reached the house of 
this worthy agriculturist, the only refuge from the relentless storm 
which he could hope to meet with for several miles ; and going straight 
to the door, with the most undoubting confidence of instant admission, 
he was not a little surprised to find it not merely latched, which the 
weather might excuse, but even bolted, a thing which, as Magnus 
Troil has already intimated, was almost unknown in the Archipelago. 
To knock, to call, and finally to batter the door with staff and stones, 
were the natural resources of the youth, who was rendered alike impa- 
tient by the pelting of the storm ; and by encountering such most unex- 
pected and unusual obstacles to instant admission. As he was suffered, 
however, for many minutes to exhaust his impatience in noise and 
clamour without receiving any reply, we will employ them in informing 
the reader who Triptolemus Y ellowley was, and how he came by a name 
so singular. 

Old Jasper Yellowley, the father of Triptolemus (though born at the 
foot of Roseberry-Topping), had been come over by a certain noble 
Scottish Earl, who, proving too far north for canny Yorkshire, had per- 
suaded him to accept of a farm hi the Mearns, where, it is unnecessary 
to add, he found matters very different from what he had expected. It 
was in vain that the stout farmer set manfully to work, to counter- 
balance, by superior skill, the inconveniences arising from a cold soil 
and a weeping climate. These might have been probably overcome ; 
but his neighbourhood to the Grampians exposed him eternally to that 
species of visitation from the plaided gentry who dwelt within their 
skirts, which made young Norval a warrior and a hero, but only con- 
verted Jasper Yellowley into a poor man. Tins was, indeed, balanced 
in some sort by the impression which his ruddy cheek and robust form 
had the fortune to make upon Miss Barbara Clinkscale, daughter of 
the umquhile, and sister to the then existing, Clinkscale of that Ilk. 

This was thought a horrid and unnatural union in the neighbour- 
hood, considering that the house of Clinkscale had at least as great a 
share of Scottish pride as of Scottish parsimony, and was amply en- 
dowed with both. But Miss Babie had her hanasome fortune of two 
thousand marks at her own disposal, was a woman of spirit who had 
been major and sui juris (as the writer who drew the contract assured 
her) for full twenty years ; so she set consequences and commentaries 
alike at defiance, and wedded the hearty Yorkshire yeoman. Her brother 
and her more wealthy kinsmen drew off in disgust, and almost disowned 
their degraded relative. But the house of Clinkscale was allied (like 
every other family in Scotland at the time) to a set of relations who 
were not so nice— tenth and sixteenth cousins, who not only acknow- 
ledged their kinswoman Babie after her marriage with Yellowley, but 
even condescended to eat beans and bacon (though the latter was then 
the abomination of the Scotch as much as of the Jews) with her hus- 
band, and would willingly have cemented the friendship by borrowing 
a little cash from him, had not his good lady (who understood trap as 
well as any woman in the Mearns) put a negative on this advance to 



!THE PIBATE. 23 

intimacy. Indeed she knew how to make young Deilbelicket, old 
Dougald Baresword, the Laird of Bandybrawl, and others, pay for the 
hospitality which she did not think proper to deny them, by rendering 
them useful in her negotiations with the lighthanded lads beyond the 
Cairn, who, finding their late object of plunder was now allied to "kend 
folks, and owned by them at kirk and market," became satisfied, on a 
moderate yearly composition, to desist from their depredations. 

This eminent success reconciled Jasper to the dominion which his 
wife began to assume over him ; and which was much confirmed by her 
proving to be — let me see — what is the prettiest mode of expressing it ? 
— in the family way. On this occasion, Mrs Yellowley had a remark- 
able dream, as is the usual practice of teeming mothers previous to the 
birth of an illustrious offspring. She " was a-dreamed," as her husband 
expressed it, that she was safely delivered of a plough, drawn by three 
yoke of Angus-shire oxen ; and being a mighty investigator into such 
portents ; she sat herself down with her gossips, to consider what the 
thing might mean. Honest Jasper ventured, with much hesitation, to 
intimate his own opinion, that the vision had reference rather to things 
past than things future, and might have been occasioned by his wife's 
nerves having been a little startled by meeting in the loan above the 
house his own great plough with the six oxen, which were the pride of 
his heart. But the good cummers* raised such a hue and cry against 
this exposition, that Jasper was fain to put his fingers in his ears, and 
to run out of the apartment. 

"Hear to him," said an old whigamore carline — "hear to him, wi' 
his owsen, that are as an idol to him, even as the calf of Bethel ! Na, 
na — it's nae pleugh of the flesh that the bonny lad-bairn — for a lad it 
sail- be — sail e'er striddle between the stilts o' — it's the pleugh of the 
spirit — and I trust mysell to see him wag the head o' him in a pu'pit ; 
or, what's better, on a hill-side." 

"Now the deil's in your whiggery," said the old lady Glenprosing ; 
" wad. ye hae our cummer's bonny lad-bairn wag the head aff his 
shouthers like your godly Mess James Guthrie, that ye hald such a 
clavering about i — Na, na, he sail walk a mair siccar path, and be a 
dainty curate— and say he should live to be a bishop, what the war 
wad he be f 

The gauntlet thus fairly flung down by one sibyl was caught up by 
another, and the controversy between presbytery and episcopacy raged, 
roared, or rather screamed, a round of cinnamon-water serving only 
like oil to the flame, till Jasper entered with the plough-staff ; and by 
the awe of his presence, and the shame of misbehaving " before the 
stranger man," imposed some conditions of silence upon the disputants. 

I do not know whether it was impatience to give to the light a being 
destined to such high and doubtful fates, or whether poor Dame Yellow- 
ley was rather frightened at the hurly-burly which had taken place in 
her presence, but she was taken suddenly ill • and, contrary to the for- 
mula in such cases used and provided, was soon reported to be " a good 
deal worse than was to be expected." She took the opportunity (hav- 
ing still all her wits about her) to extract from her sympathetic husband 

i i.e. 



24 THE PIEATE. 

two promises : first, that he would christen the child whose birth was 
like to cost her so dear, by a name indicative of the vision with Avhich 
she had been favoured ; and next, that he would educate him for the 
ministry. The canny Yorkshireman, thinking she had a good title at 
present to dictate in such matters, subscribed to all she required. A 
man-child was accordingly born under these conditions, but the state 
of the mother did not permit her for many days to inquire how far they 
had been complied with. When she was in some degree convalescent, 
she was informed, that as it was thought fit the child should be imme- 
diately christened, it had received the name of Triptolemus ; the Curate, 
who was a man of some classical skill, conceiving that this epithet con- 
tained a handsome and classical allusion to the visionary plough, with 
its triple yoke of oxen. Mrs Yellowley was not much delighted with 
the manner in which her request had been complied with ; but grum- 
bling being to as little purpose as in the celebrated case of Tristram 
Shandy, she e'en sat down contented with the heathenish name, and 
endeavoured to counteract the effects it might produce upon the taste 
and feelings of the nominee, by such an education as might put him 
above the slightest thought of sacks, coulters, stilts, mould-boards, or 
anything connected with the servile drudgery of the plough. 

Jasper, sage Yorkshire man, smiled slyly in his sleeve, conceiving 
that young Trippie was likely to prove a chip of the old block, and 
would rather take after the jolly Yorkshire yeoman, than the gentle 
but somewhat aigre blood of the house of Clinkscale. Pie remarked 
with suppressed glee, that the tune which best answered the purpose 
of a lullaby was the " Ploughman's Whistle," and the first words the 
infant learned to stammer were the names of the oxen ; moreover, that 
the " bern" preferred home-brewed ale to Scotch twopenny, and never 
quitted hold of the tankard with so much reluctance as when there had 
been, by some manoeuvre of Jasper's own device, a double straik of malt 
allowed to the brewing, above that which was sanctioned by the most 
liberal recipe of which his dame's household thrift admitted. Besides 
this, when no other means could be fallen upon to divert an occasional 
fit of squalling, his father observed that Trip could be always silenced 
by jingling a bridle at his ear. From all which symptoms he used to 
swear in private, that the boy would prove true Yorkshire, and mother 
and mother's kin would have small share of him. 

Meanwhile, and within a year after the birth of Triptolemus, Mrs 
Yellowley bore a daughter, named after herself Barbara, who, even in 
earliest infancy., exhibited the pinched nose and thin lips by which the 
Clinkscale family were distinguished amongst the inhabitants of the 
Mearns ; and as her childhood advanced, the readiness with which she 
seized, and the tenacity wherewith she detained, the playthings of 
Triptolemus, besides a desire to bite, pinch, and scratch, on slight, or 
no provocation, were all considered by attentive observers as proofs 
that Miss Baby would prove " her mother over again." Malicious 
people did not stick to say, that the acrimony of the Clinkscale blood 
had not. on this occasion, been cooled and sweetened by that of Old 
England ; that young Deilbelicket was much about the house, and they 
could not but think it odd, that Mrs Yellowley, who, as the whole world 
knew, gave nothing for nothing, should be so' uncommonly attentive to 



THE PIRATE. 25 

heap the trencher, and to fill the caup, of an idle blackguard ne'er-do- 
weel. But when folk had once looked upon the austere and awfully 
virtuous countenance of Mrs Yellowley, they did full justice to her pro- 
priety of conduct, and Deilbelicket's delicacy of taste. 

Meantime young Triptolemus, having received such instructions as 
the Curate could give him (for though Dame Yellowley adhered to the 
persecuted remnant, her jolly husband, edified by the black gown and 

aer-book, still conformed to the church as by law established), was, 
le process of time, sent to Saint Andrews to prosecute his studies. 
He went, it is true, but with an eye turned back with sad remembrances 
on his father's plough, his father's pancakes, and his father's ale, for 
which the small beer of the college, commonly there termed " thorough- 
go-nimble," furnished a poor substitute. Yet he advanced in his learn- 
ing, being found, however, to show a particular favour to such authors 
of antiquity as had made the improvement of the soil the object of 
their researches. He endured the Bucolics of Yirgil — the Georgics he 
had by heart — but the iEneid he could not away with ; and he was par- 
ticularly severe upon the celebrated line expressing a charge of cavalry, 
because, as he understood the word puti'em, 1 he opined that the com- 
batants, in their inconsiderate ardour, galloped over a new-manured 
ploughed field. Cato, the B,oman Censor, was his favourite among clas- 
sical heroes and philosophers, not on account of the strictness of his 
morals, but because of his treatise de Re Rustica. He had ever in his 
mouth the phrase of Cicero, Jam neminem antepones Catoni. He 
thought well of Palladius, and of Terentius Yarro, but Columella was 
his pocket-companion. To these ancient worthies, he added the more 
modern Tusser, Hartlib, and other writers on rural economics, not for- 
getting the lucubrations of the Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, and such 
of the better-informed Philomaths, who, instead of loading their alma- 
nacks with vain predictions of political events, pretended to see what 
seeds would grow and what would not, and direct the attention of their 
readers to that course of cultivation from which the production of good 
crops may be safely predicted ; modest saffes, in fine, who, careless of 
the rise and downfall of empires, content themselves with pointing out 
the fit seasons to reap and sow, with a fair guess at the weather which 
each month will be likely to present ; as, for example, that if Heaven 
pleases, we shall have snow in January, and the author will stake his 
reputation that^uly proves, on the whole, a month of sunshine. Now, 
although the Elector of Saint Leonard's was greatly pleased, in general, 
with the quiet, laborious, and .studious bent of Triptolemus Yellowley, 
and deemed him, in so far, worthy of a name of four syllables having 
a Latin termination, yet he relished not, by any means, his exclusive 
attention to his favourite authors. It savoured of the earth, he said, if 
not of something worse, to have a mans mind always grovelling in 
mould, stercorated or unstercorated ; and he pointed out, but in vain, 
history, and poetry, and divinity, as more elevating subjects of occupa- 
tion. Triptolemus Yellowley was obstinate in his own course. Of the 
battle of Pharsalia, he thought not as it affected the freedom of the 
world, but dwelt on the rich crop which the Emathian fields were likely 

1 Quadrupedumque putrem sonita quatit ungula campum. 



26 THE PIRATE. 

to produce the next season. In vernacular poetry, Triptolemus could 
scarce be prevailed upon to read a single couplet, excepting old Tusser, 
as aforesaid, whose Hundred Points of Good Husbandry he had got by 
heart ; and excepting also Piers Ploughman's Vision, which, charmed 
with the title, he bought with avidity from a packman, but after read- 
ing the two first pages, flung it into the fire as an impudent and mis- 
named political libel. As to divinity, he summed that matter up by 
reminding- his instructors, that to labour the earth and win his bread 
with the toil of his body and sweat of his brow was the lot imposed 
upon fallen man ; and, for his part, he was resolved to discharge, to the 
best of his abilities, a task so obviously necessary to existence, leaving 
others to speculate as much as they would upon the more recondite 
mysteries of theology. 

With a spirit §o much narrowed and limited to the concerns of rural 
life, it may be doubted whether the proficiency of Triptolemus in learn- 
ing, or the use he was like to make of his acquisitions, would have much 
gratified the ambitious hope of Ms affectionate mother. It is true, he 
expressed no reluctance to embrace the profession of a clergyman, which 
suited well enough with the habitual personal indolence which some- 
times attaches to speculative dispositions. He had views, to speak 
plainly (I wish they were peculiar to himself), of cultivating the glebe 
six days in the week, preaching on the seventh with due regularity, and 
dining with some fat franklin or country land, with whom he could 
smoke a pipe and drink a tankard after dinner, and mix in secret con- 
ference on the exhaustless subject, 

Quid faciat lostas segetes. 

Now, this plan, besides that it indicated nothing of what was then 
called the root of the matter, implied necessarily the possession of a 
manse ; and the possession of a manse inferred compliance with the 
doctrines of prelacy, and other enormities of the time. There was some 
question how far manse and glebe, stipend, both victual and money, 
might have outbalanced the good lady's predisposition towards Pres- 
bytery ; but her zeal was not put to so severe a trial. She died before 
her son had completed his studies, leaving her afflicted spouse just as 
disconsolate as was to be expected. The first act of old Jasper's undi- 
vided administration was to recall his son from Saint Andrews, in order 
to obtain his assistance in his domestic labours. And here it might 
have been supposed that our Triptolemus, summoned to carry into 
practice what he had so fondly studied in theory, must have been, to 
use a simile which he would have thought lively, like a cow entering 
upon a clover park. Alas, mistaken thoughts, and deceitful hopes of 
mankind ! 

A laughing philosopher, the Democritus of our day, once, in a moral 
lecture, compared human life to a table pierced with a number of holes, 
each of which has a pin made exactly to fit it, but which pins being 
stuck in hastily, and without selection, chance leads inevitably to the 
most awkward mistakes. " For, how often do we see," the orator pa- 
thetically concluded, — " how often, I say, do we see the round man 
stuck into the three-cornered hole ! " This new illustration of the 
vagaries of fortune set every one present into convulsions of laughter, 



THE PIRATE. 27 

excepting one fat alderman, who seemed to make the case his own, and 
insisted that it was no jesting matter. To take up the simile, however, 
which is an excellent one, it is plain that Triptolemus Yellowley had 
been shaken out of the bag at least a hundred years too soon. If he 
had come on the stage in our own time, that is, if he had flourished at 
any time within these thirty or forty years, he could not have missed to 
have held the office of vice-president of some eminent agricultural society, 
and to have transacted all the business thereof under the auspices of 
some noble duke or lord, who, as the matter might happen, either 
knew, or did not know, the difference betwixt a horse and a cart, and a 
cart-horse. He could not have missed such preferment, for he Avas ex- 
ceedingly learned in all those particulars, which, being of no conse- 
quence in actual practice, go, of course, a great way to constitute the 
character of a connoisseur in any art, but especially in agriculture. 
But, alas ! Triptolemus Yellowley had, as we already have hinted, 
come into the world at least a century too soon ; for, instead of sitting 
in an arm-chair, with a hammer in his hand, and a bumper of port be- 
fore him, giving forth the toast, — " To breeding, in all its branches," 
his father planted him betwixt the stilts of a plough, and invited him 
to guide the oxen, on whose beauties he would, in our day, have des- 
canted, and whose rumps he would not have goaded, but have carved. 
Old Jasper complained, that although no one talked so well of common 
and several, wheat and rape, fallow and lea, as his learned son (whom 
he always called Tolimus), yet, "dang it," added the Seneca, "nought 
thrives wi' un — nought thrives wi' un ! " It was still worse, when 
Jasper, becoming frail and ancient, was obliged, as happened in the 
course of a few years, gradually to yield up the reins of government to 
the academical neophyte. 

As if Nature had meant him a spite, he had got one of the dourest 
and most intractable farms in the Mearns to try conclusions withal, a 
place which seemed to yield everything but what the agriculturist 
wanted ; for there were plenty of thistles, which indicates dry land ; 
and store of fern, which is said to intimate deep land ; and nettles, 
which show where lime hath been applied ; and deep furrows in the most 
unlikely spots, which intimated that it had been cultivated in former 
days by the Peghts, as popular tradition bore. There was also enough 
of stones to keep the ground warm, according to the creed of some 
farmers, and great abundance of springs to render it cool and sappy, 
according to the theory of others. It was in vain that, acting alter- 
nately on these opinions, poor Triptolemus endeavoured to avail him- 
self of the supposed capabilities of the soil. No kind of butter that 
might be churned could be made to stick upon his own bread, any more 
than on that of poor Tusser, whose Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, 
so useful to others of his day, were never to himself worth as many 
pennies. 1 

In fact, excepting an hundred acres of infield, to which old Jasper 

' This is admitted t>y the English agriculturist :— 

" My music since has been the plough, 

Entangled with some care among ; 
The gain not gloat, the pain enough, 

Hath made me sing another song." 



2S THE PIRATE. 



s not a 



had early seen the necessity of limiting his labours, there was 
corner of the farm fit for anything but to break plough-graith, and kill 
cattle. And then, as for the part which was really tilled with some 

Erofit, the expense of the farming establishment of Triptolemus, and 
is disposition to experiment, soon got rid of any good arising from the 
cultivation of it. " The carles and the cart-avers," he confessed, with 
a sigh, speaking of his farm-servants and horses, "make it all, and the 
carles and cart-avers eat it all ;" a conclusion which might sum up the 
year-book of many a gentleman-farmer. 

Matters would have soon been brought to a close with Triptolemus 
in the present day. He would have got a bank-credit, manoeuvred with 
wind-bills, dashed out upon a large scale, and soon have seen his crop 
and stock sequestered by the Sheriff ; but in those days a man could 
not ruin himself so easily. The whole Scottish tenantry stood upon the 
same level flat of poverty, so that- it was extremely difficult to find any 
vantage ground, by climbing up to which a man might have an oppor- 
tunity of actually "breaking his neck with some eclat. They were pretty 
much in the situation of people who, being totally without credit, may 
indeed suffer from indigence, but cannot possibly become bankrupt. 
Besides, notwithstanding the failure of Triptolemus s projects, there was 
to be balanced against the expenditure which they occasioned all the 
savings which the extreme economy of his sister Barbara could effect ; 
and in truth her exertions were wonderful. She might have realized, if 
any one could, the idea of the learned philosopher, who pronounced that 
sleeping was a fancy, and eating but a habit, and who appeared to the 
world to have renounced both, until it was unhappily discovered that 
he had an intrigue with the cook-maid of the family, who indemnified 
him for his privations by giving him private entree to the pantry, and 
to a share of her own couch. But no such deceptions were practised 
by Barbara Yellowley. She was up early, and down late, ana seemed, 
to her over-watched and over-tasked maidens, to be as wakerife as 
the cat herself. Then, for eating, it appeared that the air was a ban- 
quet to her, and she would fain have made it so to her retinue. Her 
brother, who, besides being lazy in his person, was somewhat luxurious 
in his appetite, would willingly now ana then have tasted a mouthful 
of animal food, were it but to Know how his sheep were fed off; but a 
proposal to eat a child could not have startled Mistress Barbara more ; 
and, being of a compliant and easy disposition, Triptolemus reconciled 
himself to the necessity of a perpetual Lent, too happy when he could 
get a scrape of butter to his oaten cake, or (as they lived on the banks 
of the Esk) escape the daily necessity of eating salmon, whether in or 
out of season, six days out of the seven. 

But although Mrs Barbara brought faithfully to the joint stock all 
savings which her awful powers of economy accomplished to scrape to- 
gether, and although the dower of their mother was by degrees expended, 
or nearly so, in aiding them upon extreme occasions^ the term at length 
approached when it seemed impossible that they could sustain the con- 
flict any longer against the evil star of Triptolemus, as he called it him- 
self, or the natural result of his absurd speculations, as it was termed 
by others. Luckily at this sad crisis, a god jumped down to their relief 
out of a machine. In plain English, the noble lord, who owned their 



THE PIRATE. 29 

farm, arrived at his mansion-house in their neighbourhood, with his 
coach and six and his running footmen, in the full splendour of the 
seventeenth century. 

This person of quality was the son of the nobleman who had brought 
the ancient Jasper into the country from Yorkshire, and he was, like 
his father, a fanciful and scheming man. x He had schemed well for 
himself, however, amid the mutations of the time, having obtained, for 
a certain period of years, the administration of the remote islands of 
Orkney and Zetland, for payment of a certain rent, with the right of 
making the most of whatever was the property or revenue of the crown 
in these districts, under the title of Lord Chamberlain. Now, his lord- 
ship had become possessed with a notion, in itself a very true one, that 
much might be done to render this grant available, by improving the 
culture of the crown lands,' both in Orkney and Zetland ; and then, 
having some acquaintance with our friend Triptolemus, he thought 
(rather less happily) that he might prove a person capable of furthering 
his schemes. He sent for him to the great Hall-house, and was so 
much edified by the way in which our friend laid down the law upon 
every given subject relating to rural economy that he lost no time in 
securing the co-operation of so valuable an assistant, the first step 
being to release him from his present unprofitable farm. 

The terms were arranged much to the mind of Triptolemus, who had 
already been taught, by many years' experience, a dark sort of notion, 
that v/ithout undervaluing or doubting for a moment his own skill, it 
would be quite as well that almost all the trouble and risk should be at 
the expense of his employer. Indeed, the hopes of advantage which he 
held out to his patron were so considerable, that the Lord Chamberlain 
dropped every idea of admitting his dependent into any share of the 
expected profits ; for, rude as the arts of agriculture were in Scotland, 
they were far superior to those known and practised in the regions of 
Thule, and Triptolemus Yellowley conceived himself to be possessed of 
a degree of insight into these mysteries far superior to what was pos- 
sessed or practised even in the Mearns. The improvement, therefore, 
which was to be expected, would bear a double proportion, and the 
Lord Chamberlain was to reap all the profit, deducting a handsome 
salary for his steward Yellowley, together with the accommodation of a 
house and domestic farm, for the support of his family. Joy seized the 
heart of Mistress Barbara, at hearing this happy termination of what 
threatened to be so very bad an affair as their lease of Cauldacres. 

" If we cannot," she said, " provide for our own house, when all is 
coming jn, and nothing going out, surely we must be worse than in- 
fidels !" 

Triptolemus was a busy man for some time, huffing and puffing, and 
eating and chinking in every changehouse, while he ordered and col- 
lected together proper implements of agriculture, to be used by the 
natives of these devoted islands, whose destinies were menaced with 
this formidable change. Singular tools these would seem, if presented 
before a modern agricultural society ; but everything is relative, nor 
could the heavy cartload of timber, called the old Scots plough, seem 

See Note E. Government 0/ Zetland. 



30 THE PIRATE. 

less strange to a Scottish farmer of this present day, than the corselets 
and casques of the soldiers of Cortes might seem to a regiment of our 
own army. Yet the latter conquered Mexico, and undoubtedly the 
former would have been a splendid improvement on the state of agri- 
culture in Thule. 

We have never been able to learn why Triptolemus preferred fixing 
his residence in Zetland, to becoming an inhabitant of the Orkneys. 
Perhaps he thought the inhabitants of the latter Archipelago the more 
simple and docile of the two kindred tribes ; or perhaps he preferred 
the situation of the house and farm he himself was to occupy (which 
was indeed a tolerable one), as preferable to that which he had it in his 
power to have obtained upon Pomona (so the main island of the 
Orkneys is entitled). At Harfra, or, as it was sometimes called, Stour- 
burgh, from the remains of a Pictish fort, which was almost close to the 
mansion-house, the factor settled himself, in the plenitude of his autho- 
rity ; determined to honour the name he bore by his exertions, in pre- 
cept and example, to civilize the Zetlanders, and improve their very 
confined knowledge in the primary arts of human life. - 



CHAPTER V. 

The wind blew keen frae north and east, 

It blew upon the floor ; 
Quo' our goodman to our goodwife, 

" Get up and bar the door." 

"My hand is in my housewife-skep, 

Goodman, as ye may see; 
If it shouldna be barr'd this hundred years, 

It's no be barr'd for mel" 

Old Song. 

Wfi can only hope that the gentle reader has not found the latter 
part of the last chapter extremely tedious ; but, at any rate, his im- 
patience will scarce equal that of young Mordaunt Mertoun, who, while 
the lightning came flash after flash, while the wind, veering and shift- 
ing from point to point, blew with all the fury of a hurricane, and while 
the rain was dashed against him in deluges, stood hammering, calling, 
and roaring at the door of the old Place of Harfra, impatient for ad- 
mittance, and at a loss to conceive any position of existing circum- 
stances which could occasion the exclusion of a stranger, especially 
during such horrible weather. At length, finding his noise and vocife- 
ration were equally in vain, he fell back so far from the front of the 
house as was necessary to enable him to reconnoitre the chimneys ; and 
amidst " storm and shade" could discover, to the increase of his dis- 
may, that though noon, then the dinner-hour of these Islands, was now 
nearly arrived, there was no smoke proceeding from the tunnels of the 
vents to give any note of preparation within. 

Mordaunt's wrathful impatience was now changed into sympathy and 
alarm ; for, so long accustomed to the exuberant hospitality of the Zet- 



THE PIRAtE. 31 

land islands, he was immediately induced to suppose some strange and 
unaccountable disaster had befallen the family, and forthwith set him- 
self to discover some place at which he could make forcible entry, in 
order to ascertain the situation of the inmates, as much as to obtain 
shelter from the still increasing storm. His present anxiety was, how- 
ever, as much thrown away as his late clamorous importunities for ad- 
mittance had been. Triptolemus and his sister had heard the whole 
alarm without, and had already had a sharp dispute on the propriety of 
opening the door. 

Mrs Baby, as we have described her, was no willing renderer of the 
rites of hospitality. In their farm of Cauldacres, in the Mearns, she 
had been the dread and abhorrence of all gaberlunzie men, and tra- 
velling packmen, gipsies, long-remembered beggars, and so forth ; nor 
was there one of them so wily, as she used to boast, as could ever say 
they had heard the clink of her sneck. In Zetland, where the new 
settlers were yet strangers to the extreme honesty and simplicity of all 
classes, suspicion and fear joined with frugality in her desire to exclude 
all wandering guests of uncertain character ; and the second of these 
motives had its effect on Triptolemus himself, who, though neither sus- 
picious nor penurious, knew good people were scarce, good farmers 
scarcer, and had a reasonable share of that wisdom which looks towards 
self-preservation as the first law of nature. These hints may serve as a 
commentary on the following dialogue which took place betwixt the 
brother and sister. 

" Now, good be gracious to us," said Triptolemus, as he sat thumb- 
ing his old school-copy of Virgil, "here is a pure day for the bear seed ! — 
Well spoke the wise Mantuan — ventis surgentibus—aM. then the 
groans of the mountains, and the long-resounding shores — but where' s 
the woods, Baby ? tell me, I say, where we shall find the nemorum 
murmur, sister Baby, in these new seats of ours ?" 

" What's your foolish will?" said Baby, popping her head from out 
of a dark recess in the kitchen, where she was busy about some name- 
less deed of housewifery. 

Her brother, who had addressed himself to her more from habit 
than intention, no sooner saw her bleak red nose, keen gray eyes, with 
the sharp features thereunto conforming, shaded by the flaps of the 
loose toy which depended on each side of her eager face, than he be- 
thought himself that his query was likely to find little acceptation from 
her, and therefore stood another volley before he would resume the 
topic. 

" I say, Mr Yellowley," said sister Baby, coming into the middle of 
the room, " what for are ye crying on me, and me in the midst of my 
housewife-skep ?" 

"Nay, for nothing at all, Baby," answered Triptolemus, "saving 
that I was saying to myself, that here we had the sea, and the wind, 
and the rain, sufficient enough, but where's the wood? where's the 
wood, Baby, answer me that V* 

" The wood?" answered Baby— "Were I no to take better care of 
the wood than you, brother, there would soon be no more wood about 
the town than the barber's block that's on your own shoulders, Tripto- 
lemus. If ye be thinking of the wreck-wood that the callants brought 



32 THE PIRATE. 



itch tin's 



in yesterday, there was six ounces of it gaed to boil your parritch 
morning ; though, I trow, a carefu' man wad have ta'en drammock, is 
breakfast he behoved to have, rather than waste baith meltith and fue 
in the same morning." 

'* That is to say, Baby," replied Triptolemus, who was somewhat c 
a dry joker in Ins way, " that when we have fire we are not to hav 
food, and when we have food we are not to have fire, these being to 
great blessings to enjoy both in the same day. Good luck, you do no 
propose we should starve with cold and starve with hunger unico con 
textu. But to tell you the truth, I could never away with raw oat 
meal, slockened with water, in all my life. Call it drammock, c 
crowdie, or just what you list, my vivers must thole fire and water." 

" The mair gowk you," said Baby ; " can ye not make your brose o . 
the Sunday, and sup them cauld on the Monday, since ye're sae dainty 
Mony is the fairer face than yours that has licked the lip after such 
cogfuV 

" Mercy on us, sister !" said Triptolemus ; "at this rate, it's a finish© 
field with me — I must unyoke the pleugh, and lie down to wait for th 
deadthraw. Here is that in this house wad hold all Zetland in meal fc 
a twelvemonth, and ye grudge a cogfu' of warm parritch to me that ha 
sic a charge !" 

x "Whisht — hold your silly clavering tongue," said Baby, look in 
'" round with apprehension — " ye are a wise man to speak of what is i 
the house, and a fitting man to have the charge of it. — Hark, as I lft 
by bread, I hear a tapping at the outer yett !" 

"Go and open it then, Baby," said her brother, glad at any thin ■ 
that promised to interrupt the dispute. 

" Go and open it, said he !" echoed Baby, half angry, half frightenec 
and half triumphant at the superiority of her understanding over th,' 
of her brother — " Go and open it, said you, indeed ! — is it to lend rol 
bers a chance to take all that is in the house ?" 

" Robbers !" echoed Triptolemus, in his turn ; " there are no mo: 
robbers in this country than there are lambs at Yule. I tell yo 
as I have told you an hundred times, there are no Highlandhu 
to harry us here. This is a land of quiet and honesty. fortuna 
niraium!" 

" And what good is Saint Rinian to do ye, Tolemus ?" said his siste 
mistaking the quotation for a Catholic invocation. " Besides, if the: 
be no Highlandmen, there may be as bad. I saw sax or seven as il 
looking chields gang past the Place yesterday, as ever came frae b 
yont Olochna-ben ; ill-fa'red tools they had in their hands, whaalh 
knives they ca'ed them, but they looked as like dirks and whingers i 
ae bit aim can look like anither. There is nae honest men carry sicc< 
tools." 

Here the knocking and shouts of Mordaunt were very audible b 
twixt every swell of the horrible blast which was careering withou 
The brother and sister looked at each other in real perplexity and fea 
" If they have heard of the siller," said Baby, her very nose changn 
with terror from red to blue, " we are but gane folk !" 

" Who speaks now, when they should hold their tongue ;" said Tri] 
tolemus. " Go to the shot-window instantly, and see how many thei 



THE PIRATE. 33 

,re of them, while I load the old Spanish-barrelled duck-gun— go as if 
r ou were stepping on new-laid eggs." 

Baby crept to the window, and reported that she saw only " one 
■oimg chield, clattering and roaring as gin he were daft. How many 
here might be out of sight she could not say." 

" Out of sight !— nonsense," said Triptolemus, laying aside the ram- 
od with which he was loading the piece, with a trembling hand. " I 
yill warrant them out of sight and hearing both— this is some poor 
ellow catched in the tempest, wants the shelter of our roof, and a little 
efreshment. Open the door. Baby, it's a Christian deed." 

" But is it a Christian deed of him to come in at the window, then ?" 
aid Baby, setting up a most doleful shriek, as Mordaunt Mertoun, who 
bad forced open one of the windows, leaped down into the apartment, 
lripping with water like a river-god. Triptolemus, in great tribula- 
ion, presented the gun which he had not yet loaded, while the intruder 
exclaimed, " Hold, hold— what the devil mean you by keeping your 
loors bolted in weather like this, and levelling your gun at folk's heads 
is you would at a sealgh's?" 

" And who are you, friend, and what want you ?" said Triptolemus, 
owering the butt of his gun to the floor as he spoke, and so recovering 
lis arms. 

"What do I want!" said Mordaunt; " I want everything — I want 
neat, drink, and fire, a bed for the night, and a sheltie for to-morrow 
.morning to carry me to Jarlshof." 

"And ye said there were nae caterans or sorners here?" said Baby 
;o the agriculturist, reproachfully. " Heard ye ever a breekless loon 
Brae Lochaber tell his mind and his errand mair deftly ? — Come, come, 
friend," she added, addressing herself to Mordaunt, "put up your 
pipes and gang your gate ; this is the house of his Lordship's factor, 
and no place of reset for thiggers or sorners." 

Mordaunt laughed in her face at the simplicity of the request. 
" Leave built walls," he said, " and in such a tempest as this ? What 
take you me for ? — a gannet or a scart do you think I am, that your 
clapping your hands and skirling at me like a mad-woman should drive 
me from the shelter into the storm ?" 

" And so you propose, young man," said Triptolemus, gravely, " to 
stay in my house, votens nolens — that is, whether we will or no r 

"Will!" said Mordaunt; "what right have you to will anything 
about it ? Do you not hear the thunder I Do you not hear the rain i 
Do you not see the lightning ? And do you not know this is the only 
house within I wot not how many miles ? Come, my good master and 
dame, this may be Scottish jesting, but it sounds strange in Zetland 
ears. You have let out the fire, too, and my teeth are dancing a jig 
in my head with cold ; but I'll soon put that to rights." 

He seized the fire-tongs, raked together the embers upon the 
hearth, bioke up into life the gathering peat, which the hostess had 
calculated should have preserved the seeds of fire, without giving 
them forth, for many hours ; then casting his eye round saw in a cor- 
ner the stock of drift-wood which Mistress Baby had served forth by 
ounces, and transferred two or three logs of it at once to the heartH, 
which, conscious of such unwonted supply, began to transmit to the 

A c 



34 THE PIRATE. 



frafor 



chimney such a smoke as had not issued from the Place of Harfra 
many a day. 

W hile their uninvited guest was thus making himself at home. Baby 
kept edging and j ogging the factor to turn out the intruder. But tor this 
undertaking Triptolemus Yellowley felt neither courage nor zeal, nor 
did circumstances seem at all to warrant the favourable conclusion of 
any fray into which he might enter with the young stranger. The 
sinewy limbs and graceful form of Mordaunt Mertoun were seen to 
great advantage in his simple sea-dress ; and with his dark sparkling 
eye, finely-formed head, animated features, close-curled dark hair, and 
hold free looks, the stranger formed a very strong contrast with the host 
on whom he had intruded himself. Triptolemus was a short, clumsy, 
duck-legged disciple of Ceres, whose bottle-nose, turned up and hand- 
somely coppered at the extremity, seemed to intimate something of an 
occasional treaty with Bacchus. It was like to be no equal mellay be- 
twixt persons of such unequal form and strength ; and the difference 
betwixt twenty and fifty years was nothing in favour of the weaker 
party. Besides, the factor was an honest, good-natured fellow at bot- 
tom ; and being soon satisfied that his guest had no other views than 
those of obtaining refuge from the storm, it would, despite his sister's 
instigations, have been his last act to deny a boon so reasonable and 
necessary to a youth whose exterior was so prepossessing. He stood, 
therefore, considering how he could most gracefully glide into the cha- 
racter of the hospitable landlord, out of that of the churlish defender 
of his domestic castle, against an unauthorised intrusion, when Baby, 
who had stood appalled at the extreme familiarity of the stranger's 
address and demeanour, now spoke up for herself. 

" My troth, lad," said she to Mordaunt, ye are no blate, to light on 
at that rate, and the best of wood, too— nane of your sharney peats, 
but good aik timber, nae less maun serve ye !" 

"You come lightly by it, dame," said Mordaunt, carelessly; "and 
you should not grudge the fire what the sea gives you for nothing. 
These good ribs of oak did their last duty upon earth and ocean, when 
they could hold no longer together under the brave hearts that manned 
the bark." 

"And' that's true, too," said the old woman, softening— " this maun 
be awsome weather by sea. Sit down and warm ye, since the sticks 
are a-low." 

" Ay, ay," said Triptolemus, " it is a pleasure to see siccan a bonny 
bleeze. I havena seen the like o't since I left Cauldacres." 

" And shallna see the like o't again in a hurry," said Baby, " unless 
the house take fire, or there suld be a coal-heugh found out." 

" And wherefore should not there be a coal-heugh found out ? said 
the factor, triumphantly—" I say, wherefore should not a coal-heugh 
be found out in Zetland as well as in Fife, now that the Chamberlain 
has a far-sighted and discreet man upon the spot to make the necessary 
perquisitions? They are baith fishing-stations, I trow V 

" I tell you what it is, Tolemus Yellowley," answered his sister, who 
had practical reasons to fear her brother's opening upon any false scent, 
" if you promise my Lord sae mony of these bonnie-walhes, we'll no be 
weel hafted here before we are found out, and set a trotting agaim If 



THE PIRATE. 35 

ane was to speak to you about a gold mine, I ken weel wha wad pro- 
mise he suld have Portugal pieces clinking in his pouch before the year 
gaed by." 

"And why suld I not?" said Triptolemus — "maybe your head does 
not know there is a land in Orkney called Ophir, or something very like 
it ; and wherefore might not Solomon, the wise King of the Jews, have 
sent thither his ships and his servants for four hundred and fifty talents ? 
I trow he knew best where to go or send, and I hope you believe in 
your Bible, Baby?" 

Baby was silenced by an appeal to Scripture, however mat dpropos, 
and only answered by an articulate humph of incredulity or scorn, 
while her brother went on addressing Mordaunt. — " Yes, you shall all 
of you see what a change shall coin introduce, even into such an un- 
propitious country as yours. Ye have not heard of copper, I warrant, 
or of iron-stone, in these islands, neither ?" Mordaunt said he had 
heard there was copper near the Cliffs of Konigsburgh. " Ay, and a 
copper scum is found on the Loch of Swana, too, young man. But the 
youngest of you, doubtless, thinks himself a match for such as I am." 

Baby, who during all this while had been closely and accurately re- 
connoitring the youth's person, now interposed in a manner by her 
brother totally unexpected. " Ye had mair need, Mr Yellowley, to 
give the young man some dry clothes, and to see about getting some- 
thing for him to eat, than to sit there bleezing away with your lang 
tales, as if the weather were not windy eneugh without your help ; and 
maybe the lad would drink some bland, or siclike, if ye had the grace 
to ask him." 

While Triptolemus looked astonished at such a proposal, considering 
the quarter it came from, Mordaunt answered, he " should be very glad 
to have dry clothes, but begged to be excused from drinking until he 
had eaten somewhat." 

Triptolemus accordingly conducted him into another apartment, and 
accommodating him with a change of dress, left him to his arrange- 
ments, while he himself returned to the kitchen, much puzzled to ac- 
count for his sister's unusual fit of hospitality. " She must be fey" x 
he said, " and in that case has not long to live, and though I fall heir 
to her tocher-good, I am sorry for it ; for she has held the house-gear 
well together — drawn the girth over-tight it may be now and then, but 
the saddle sits the better." 

When Triptolemus returned to the kitchen, he found his suspicions 
confirmed ; for his sister was in the desperate act of consigning to the 
pot a smoked goose, which, with others of the same tribe, had long hung 
in the large chimney, muttering to herself at the same time, — " It maun 
be eaten sune or syne, and what for no by the puir callant ?" 

"What is this of it, sister?" said Triptolemus. "You have on the 
girdle and the pot at ance. What day is this wi' you ?" 

" E'en such a day as the Israelites had beside the flesh-pots of Egypt, 
billie Triptolemus : but ye little ken wha ye have in your house this 
blessed day." 

■> When a person changes his condition suddenly, as when a miser becomes liberal, 
or a churl good-humoured, he is said, in Scotch, to be fey ; that is, predestined to speedy 
death, of which such mutations of humour are received as a sure indication. 



36 THE PIRATE. 



[would 



" Troth and little do I ken," said Triptolemus, " as little as I 
ken the naig I never saw before. I would take the lad for a yagger, 1 but 
he has rather ower good havings, and has no pack." 

" Ye ken as little as ane of your ain bits of nowt, man," retorted 
sister Baby ; " if ye ken na him, do ye ken Tronda Dronsdaughter ?" 

" Tronda Dronsdaughter !" echoed Triptolemus — " how should I but 
ken her, when I pay her twal pennies Scots by the day, for working in 
the house here 1 I trow she works as if the things burned her fingers. 
I had better give a Scots lass a groat of English siller." 

" And that's the maist sensible word ye have said this blessed morn- 
ing. — Weel, but Tronda kens this lad weel, and she has often spoke to 
me about him. They call his father the Silent Man of Sumburgh, and 
they say he's uncanny." 

" Hout, hout— nonsense, nonsense — they are aye at sic trash as that," 
said the brother, " when you want a day's wark out of them — they have 
stepped ower the tangs, or they have met an uncanny body, or they 
have turned about the boat against the sun, and then there s nought 
to be done that day." 

"Weel, weel, brother, ye are so wise," said Baby, "because ye 
knapped Latin at Saint Andrews ; and can your lair tell me, then, what 
the lad has round his halse ?" 

" A Barcelona napkin, as wet as a dishclout, and I have just lent 
him one of my own overlays," said Triptolemus. 

"A Barcelona napkin!" said Baby, elevating her voice, and then 
suddenly lowering it, as from apprehension of being overheard — " I say 
a gold chain !" 

" A gold chain !" said Triptolemus. 

" In troth is it, hinny ; and how like you that 'I The folk say here, 
as Tronda tells me, that the King of the Drows gave it to his father, 
the Silent Man of Sumburgh." 

"I wish you would speak sense, or be the silent Avoman " said Trip- 
tolemus. "The upshot of it all is, then, that this lad is the rich 
stranger's son, and that you are giving him the goose you were to keep 
till Michaelmas ?" 

" Troth, brother, we maun do something for God's sake, and to make 
friends ; and the lad," added Baby (for even she was not altogether 
above the prejudices of her sex in favour of outward form), "the lad 
lias a fair face of his ain." 

" Ye would have let mony a fair face," said Triptolemus, " pass the 
door pining, if it had not been for the gold chain." 

" Nae doubt, nae doubt," replied Barbara ; " ye wad not have me 
waste our substance on every thigger or sorner that has the luck to 
come by the door in a wet day ? But this lad has a fair and a wide 
name in the country, and Tronda says he is to be married to a daughter 
of the rich Udaller, Magnus Troil, and the marriage-day is to be fixed 
whenever he makes choice (set him up !) between the twa lasses ; and 
so it wad be as much as our good name is Avorth, and our quiet forby, 
to let him sit unserved, although he does come unsent for." 

"The best reason in life," said Triptolemus, "for letting a man into 
a house is, that you dare not bid him go by. However, since there is 
1 A pedlar 



THE PIRATE. 37 

a man of quality amongst them, I will let him know whom he has to 
do with in my person." Then advancing to the door, he exclaimed, 
" Heus tibi, Dave /" 

" Adsum" answered the youth, entering the apartment. 

"Hem !" said the erudite Triptolemus, "not altogether deficient in 
his humanities, I see. I will try him farther. — Canst thou aught of 
husbandry, young gentleman V 

" Troth, sir, not I," answered Mordaunt ; " I have been trained to 
plough upon the sea. and to reap upon the crag." 

" Plough the sea ! said Triptolemus ; " that's a furrow requires small 
harrowing ; and for your harvest on the crag, I suppose you mean these 
scoiories, or whatever you call them. It is a sort of ingathering which 
the Ranzelman should, stop by the law ; nothing more likely to break 
an honest man's bones. I profess I cannot see the pleasure men pro- 
pose by dangling in a rope s-end betwixt earth and heaven. In my 
case, I had as lief the other end of the rope were fastened to the gibbet ; 
I should be sure of not falling, at least." 

" Now, I would only advise you to try it," replied Mordaunt. " Trust 
me, the world has few grander sensations than when one is perched in 
mid-air between a high-browed cliff and a roaring ocean, the rope by 
which you are sustained seeming scarce stronger than a silken thread, 
and the stone on which you have one foot steadied, affording such a 
breadth as the kittywake might rest upon — to feel and know all this, 
with the full confidence that your own agility of limb and strength of 
head can bring you as safe off as if you had the wing of the gosshawk — 
this is indeed being almost independent of the earth you tread on !" 

Triptolemus stared at this enthusiastic description of an amusement 
which had so few charms for him ; and his sister, looking at the glancing 
eye and elevated bearing of the young adventurer, answered, by ejacu- 
lating, " My certie, lad, but ye are a brave chield !" 

" A brave chield ?" returned Yellowley, — " I say a brave goose, to be 
flichtering and fleeing in the Avind when he might abide upon terra 
fir ma; but come, here's a goose that is more to the purpose, when 
once it is well boiled. Get us trenchers and salt, Baby — but in truth 
it will prove salt enough — a tasty morsel it is ; but I think the Zet- 
landers be the only folk in the world that think of running such risks 
to catch geese, and then boiling them when they have done." 

" To be sure," replied his sister (it was the only word they had agreed 
in that day), " it would be an unco thing to bid ony gudewife in Angus 
or a' the Mearns boil a goose, while there was sic things as spits in the 
world.— But wha's this neist !" she added, looking towards the entrance 
with great indignation. " My certie, open doors, and dogs come in — 
and wha opened the door to him ?" 

"I did to be sure," replied Mordaurit ; "you would not have a poor 
devil stand beating your deaf door-cheeks in weather like this '/ — Here 
goes something, though, to help the fire," he added, drawing out the 
sliding bar of oak with which the door had been secured, and throwing 
it on the hearth, whence it was snatched by Dame Baby in great wrath, 
she exclaiming at the same time, — 

" It's sea-borne timber, as there's little else here, and he dings it 
about as if it were a fir-clog ! — And who be you, an it please you ?' y she 



38 THE PIRATE. 



added, turning to the stranger,— "a very hallanshaker loon, as ever 
crossed my twa een !" 

"lama j agger, if it like your ladyship," replied the uninvited guest, 
a stout vulgar little man, who had indeed the humble appearance of a 
pedlar, called j agger in these islands — " never travelled in a waur day, 
or was more willing to get to harbourage. — Heaven be praised for fire 
and house-room !" 

So saying, he drew a stool to the fire, and sat down without farther 
ceremony. Dame Baby stared " wild as gray gosshawk," and was me- 
ditating how to express her indignation in something warmer than 
words, for which the boiling pot seemed to offer a convenient hint, 
when an old half-starved serving-woman — the Tronda already men- 
tioned — the sharer of Barbara's domestic cares, who had been as yet in 
some remote corner of the mansion, now hobbled into the room, and 
broke out into exclamations which indicated some new cause of alarm. 

" master 1 !" and " mistress !" were the only sounds she could for 
some time articulate, and then followed them up with, " The best in the 
house — the best in the house — set a' on the board, and a' will be little 
eneugh — There is auld Noma of Fitful-head, the most fearful woman in 
all the isles !" 

" Where can she have been wandering ?" said Mordaunt, not without 
some apparent sympathy with the surprise, if not with the alarm, of 
the old domestic ; " but it is needless to ask — the worse the weather, 
the more likely is she to be a traveller." 

" What new tramper is this ?" echoed the distracted Baby, whom 
the quick succession of guests had driven well-nigh crazy with vexation. 
" I'll soon settle her wandering, I sail warrant, if my brother has but 
the soul of a man in him, or if there be pair of jougs at Scalloway." 

" The iron was never forged on stithy that would hald her," said the 
old maid-servant. " She comes — she comes — God's sake speak her fair 
and canny, or Ave will have a ravelled hasp on the yarn-windles !" 

As she spoke, a woman, tall enough almost to touch the top of the 
door with her cap, stepped into the room, signing the cross as she en- 
tered, and pronouncing, with a solemn voice, " The blessing of God and 
Saint Ronald on the open door, and their broad malison and mine upon 
close-handed churls !" i 

" And wha are ye, that are sae bauld wi' your blessing and banning 
in other folk's houses ! What kind of country is this, that folk cannot 
sit quiet for an hour, and serve Heaven, and keep their bit gear the- 
gither, without gangrel men and women coming tnigging and sorning 
ane after another, like a string of wild-geese ?" 

This speech the understanding reader will easily saddle on Mistress 
Baby, and what effects it might have produced on the last stranger 
can only be matter of conjecture ; for the old servant and Mordaunt 
applied themselves at once to the party addressed, in order to depre- 
cate her resentment ; the former speaking to her some words of Norse, 
in a tone of intercession, and Mordaunt saying in English, " They are 
strangers, Noma, and know not your name or qualities ; they are un- 
acquainted, too, with the ways of this country, and therefore we must 
hold them excused for their lack of hospitality." 

"I lack no hospitality, young man," said TriptolemuS) "miseris 






THE PIBATE, 39 

succurrere disco — the goose that was destined to roost in the chimney 
till Michaelmas is boiling in the pot for you ; hut if we had twenty 
geese, I see we are like to find mouths to eat them every feather — this 
must be amended." 

"What must be amended, sordid slave 1 ?" said the stranger Noma, 
turning at once upon him with an emphasis that made him start — 
" What must be amended 1 Bring hither, if thou wilt, thy new-fangled 
coulters, spades, and harrows, alter the implements of our fathers from 
the ploughshare to the mouse-trap ; but know thou art in the land that 
was won of old by the flaxen-haired Kempions of the North, and leave 
us their hospitality at least, to show we come of what was once noble 
and generous. I say to you beware — while Noma looks forth at the 
measureless waters, from the crest of Fitful-head, something is yet left 
that resembles power of defence. If the men of Thule have ceased to 
be champions, and to spread the banquet for the raven, the women 
have not forgotten the arts that lifted them of yore into queens and 
prophetesses." 

The woman who pronounced this singular tirade was as striking in 
appearance as extravagantly lofty in her pretensions and in her lan- 
guage. She might well have represented on the stage, so far as features, 
voice, and stature were concerned, the Bonduca or Boadicea of the 
Britons, or the sage Velleda, Aurinia, or any other fated Pythoness 
who ever led to battle a tribe of the ancient Goths. Her features were 
high and well formed, and would have been handsome, but for the ra- 
vages of time and the effects of exposure to the severe weather of her 
country. Age, and perhaps sorrow, had quenched, in some degree, the 
fire of a dark-blue eye, whose hue almost approached to black, and had 
sprinkled snow on such parts of her tresses as had escaped from under 
her cap, and were dishevelled by the rigour of the storm. Her upper 
garment, which dropped with water, was of a coarse dark-coloured stuff, 
called wadmaal, then much used in the Zetland islands, as also in Ice- 
land and Norway. But as she threw this cloak back from her shoulders, 
a short jacket, of dark-blue velvet, stamped with figures, became visible, 
and the vest, which corresponded to it, was of a crimson colour, and 
embroidered with tarnished silver. Her girdle was plated with silver 
ornaments, cut into the shape of planetary signs — her blue apron was 
embroidered with similar devices, and covered a petticoat of crimson 
cloth. Strong, thick, enduring shoeSj of the half-dressed leather of the 
country, were tied with straps, like those of the Roman buskins, over 
her scarlet stockings. She wore in her belt an ambiguous-looking 
weapon, which might pass for a sacrificing knife or dagger, as the ima- 
gination of the spectator chose to assign to the wearer the character of 
a priestess or of a sorceress. In her hand she held a staff, squared on 
all sides, and engraved with Runic characters and figures, forming one 
of those portable and perpetual calendars which were used among the 
ancient natives of Scandinavia, and which to a superstitious eye, might 
have passed for a divining-rod. 

Such were the appearance, features, and attire of Noma of the Fit- 
ful-head, upon whom many of the inhabitants of the island looked with 
observance, many with fear, and almost all with a sort of veneration. 
Less pregnant circumstances of suspicion would, in any other part of 



40 THE PIRATE. 

Scotland, have exposed her to the investigation of those cruel inquisi- 
tors, who were then often invested with tlie delegated authority of th( 
Privy Council, for the purpose of persecuting, torturing, and finall) 
consigning to the flames those who were accused of witchcraft or sor- 
cery. But superstitions of this nature pass through two stages ere they 
become entirely obsolete. Those supposed to be possessed of superna- 
tural powers are venerated in the earlier stages of society. As religion 
and knowledge increase, they are first held in hatred and horror, and 
are finally regarded as impostors. Scotland was in the second state — 
the fear of witchcraft was great, and the hatred against those suspected 
of it intense. Zetland was as yet & little world by itself, where among 
the lower and ruder classes so much of the ancient northern supersti- 
tion remained, as cherished the original veneration for those affecting 
supernatural knowledge, and power over the elements, which made a 
constituent part of the ancient Scandinavian creed. At least if the 
natives of Tnule admitted that one class of magicians performed their 
feats by their alliance with Satan, they devoutly believed that others 
dealt with spirits of a different and less odious class — the ancient 
Dwarfs, called, in Zetland, Trows or Drows, the modern fairies, and 
so forth. 

Among those who were supposed to be in league with disembodied 
spirits, this Noma, descended from, and representative of, a family 
which had long pretended to such gifts, was so eminent, that the name 
assigned to her, which signifies one of those fatal sisters who weave the 
web of human fate, had been conferred in honour of her supernatural 
powers. The name by which she had been actually christened was 
carefully concealed by herself and her parents ; for to its discovery they 
superstitiously annexed some fatal consequences. In those times, the 
doubt only occurred whether her supposed powers were acquired by 
lawful means. In our days, it would have been questioned whether she 
was an impostor, or whether her imagination was so deeply impressed 
with the mysteries of her supposed art, that she might be in some de- 
gree a believer in her own pretensions to supernatural knowledge. Cer- 
tain it is, that she performed her part with such undoubting confidence, 
and such striking dignity of look and action, and evinced, at the same 
time, such strength of language, and energy of purpose, that it would 
have been difficult for the greatest sceptic to have doubted the reality 
of her enthusiasm, though he might smile at the pretensions to which 
it gave rise. 



CHAPTER VI. 

If, by your art, you have 

Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. 

Tempen. 

The storm had somewhat relaxed its rigour just before the entrance 
of Noma, otherwise she must have found it impossible to travel during- 
the extremity of its fury. But she had hardly added herself so un- 



THE PIRATE. 41 

expectedly to the party whom chance had assembled at the dwelling of 
Triptolemus Yellowley, when the tempest suddenly resumed its former 
vehemence, and raged around the building with a fury which made the 
inmates insensible^ anything except the risk that the old mansion 
was about to fall above their heads. 

Mistress Baby gave vent to her fears in loud exclamations of " The 
Lord guide us— this is surely the last day — what kind of a country of 
guisards and gyre-carlines is this? — and you, ye fool carle," she added, 
turning on her brother (for all her passions had a touch of acidity in 
them) ; " to quit the bonny Mearns land to come here, where there is 
naethmg but sturdy beggars and gaberlunzies within ane's house, and 
Heaven s anger on the outside on't ! " 

" I tell you, sister Baby," answered the insulted agriculturist, "that 
all shall be reformed and amended, — excepting," he added, betwixt his 
teeth, " the scaulding humours of an ill-natured jaud, that can add 
bitterness to the very storm." 

The old domestic and the pedlar meanwhile exhausted themselves in 
entreaties to Noma, of which, as they were couched in the Norse lan- 
guage, the master of the house understood nothing. 

She listened to them with a haughty and unmoved air, and replied 
at length aloud, and in English — " I will not. What if this house be 
strewed in ruins before morning — where would be the world's want in 
the crazed projector, and the niggardly pinch-commons, by which it is 
inhabited ? They will needs come to reform Zetland customs, let them 
try how they like a Zetland storm. — You that would not perish quit 
this house ! 

The pedlar seized on his little knapsack, and began hastily to brace 
it on his back ; the old maid-servant cast her cloak about her should- 
ers, and both seemed to be in the act of leaving the house as fast as 
they could. 

triptolemus Yellowley, somewhat commoved by these appearances, 
asked Mordaunt, with a voice which faltered with apprehension, 
whether he thought there was any, that is, so very much danger ? 

" I cannot tell," answered the youth ; " I have scarce ever seen such 
a storm. Noma can tell us better than any one when it will abate ; 
for no one in these islands can judge of the weather like her." 

" And is that all thou thinkest Noma can do ?" said the sibyl ; "thou 
shalt know her powers are not bounded within such a narroAv space. 
Hear me, Mordaunt, youth of a foreign land, but of a friendly heart — 
Dost thou quit this doomed mansion with those who now prepare to 
leave it?" 

" I do not— I will not, Noma," replied Mordaunt ; " I know not 
your motive for desiring me to remove, and I will not leave, upon these 
dark threats, the house in which I have been kindly received in such a 
tempest as this. If the owners are unaccustomed to our practice of 
unlimited hospitality, I am the more obliged to them that they have 
relaxed their usages, and opened their doors on my behalf." 

" He is a brave lad," said Mistress Baby, whose superstitious feel- 
ings had been daunted by the threats q£> the supposed sorceress, and 
who, amidst her eager, narrow, and repining disposition, had, like all 
who possess marked character, some sparks of higher feeling, which made 



o 



42 THE PIRATE. 

her sympathize with generous sentiments, though she thought it too 
expensive to entertain them at her own cost — " He is a brave lad," 
she again repeated, " and worthy of ten geese, if I had them to boil for 
him, or roast either. I'll warrant him a gentleman's son, and no churl's 
blood." 

" Hear me, young Mordaunt," said Noma, "and depart from this 
house. Fate has high views on you — you shall not remain in this hovel 
to be crushed amid its worthless ruins, with the relics of its more worth- 
less inhabitants, whose life is as little to the world as the vegetation of 
the house-leek which now grows on their thatch, and which shall soon 
be crushed amongst their mangled limbs." 

" I — I — I will go forth," said Yellowley, who, despite of his bearing 
himself scholarly and wisely, was beginning to be terrified for the issue 
of the adventure ; for the house was old, and the walls rocked formid- 
ably to the blast. 

" To what purpose ?" said his sister. " I trust the Prince of the 
power of the air has not yet such like power over those that are made 
in God's image, that a good house should fall about our heads, because 
a randy quean" (here she darted a fierce glance at the Pythoness) 
" should boast us with her glamour, as if we were sae mony dogs to 
crouch at her bidding !" 

" I was only wanting," said Triptolemus, ashamed of his motion, 
" to look at the bear-braird, which must be sair laid wi' this tempest ; 
but if this honest woman like to bide wi' us, I think it were best to let 
us a' sit doun canny thegither, till it's working weather again." 

" Honest woman !" echoed Baby — " Foul warlock thief ! — Aroint ye, 
ye limmer !" she added, addressing Noma directly ; " out of an honest 
house, or, shame fa' me, but I'll take the bittle 1 to you !". 

Noma cast on her a look of supreme contempt ; then, stepping to 
the window, seemed engaged in deep contemplation of the heavens, 
while the old maid-servant Tronda, drawing close to her mistress, im- 
plored, for the sake of all that was dear to man or woman, " Do not 
provoke Noma of Fitful-head ! You have no sic woman on the main- 
land of Scotland— she can ride on one of these clouds as easily as man 
ever rode on a sheltie." 

" I shall live to see her ride on the reek of a fat tar-barrel," said Mis- 
tress Baby ; " and that will be a fit pacing palfrey for her." 

Again Noma regarded the enraged Mrs Baby Yellowley with a look 
of that unutterable scorn which her haughty features could so well ex- 
press, and moving to the window which looked to the north-west, from 
which quarter the gale seemed at present to blow, she stood for some 
time with her arms crossed, looking out upon the leaden-coloured sky, 
obscured as it was by the thick drift, wluch, coming on in successive 
gusts of tempest, left ever and anon sad and dreary intervals of expec- 
tation betwixt the dying and the reviving blast. 

Noma regarded this war of the elements as one to whom their strife 
was familiar ; yet the stern serenity of her features had in it a cast of 
awe, and at the same time of authority, as the cabalist may be supposed to 

1 The beetle with which the Scottish housewives used to perform the office of the 
modern mangle, by beating newly-washed linen on a smooth stone for the purpose, 
tailed the beetling-stone. 



THE PIRATE. 43 

look upon the spirit he has evoked, and which, though he knows how to 
subject him to his spell, bears still an aspect appalling to flesh and blood. 
The attendants stood by in different attitudes, expressive of their 
various feelings. Mordaunt, though not indifferent to the risk in 
which they stood, was more curious than alarmed. He had heard of 
Noma's alleged* power over the elements, and now expected an oppor- 
tunity of judging for himself of its reality. Triptolemus Yellowley was 
confounded at what seemed to be far beyond the bounds of his philo- 
sophy ; and, if the truth must be spoken, the worthy agriculturist was 
greatly more frightened than inquisitive. His sister was not in the least 
curious on the subject ; but it was difficult to say whether anger or fear 
predominated in her sharp eyes and thin compressed lips. , The pedlar 
and old Tronda, confident that the house would never fall while the 
redoubted Noma was beneath its roof, held themselves ready for a start 
the instant she should take her departure. 

Having looked on the sky for some time in a fixed attitude, and with 
the most profound silence, Noma at once, yet with a slow and elevated 
gesture, extended her staff of black oak towards that part of the heavens 
from which the blast came hardest, and in the midst of its fury chanted 
a Norwegian invocation, still preserved in the Island of Uist, under the 
name of the Song of the Reim-kennar, though some call it the Song 
of the Tempest. The following is a free translation, it being impossible 
to render literally many of the elliptical and metaphorical terms of ex- 
pression peculiar to the ancient Northern poetry : — 

l. 

" Stern eagle of the far north-west, 
Thou that bearest in thy grasp the thunderbolt, 
Thou whose rushing pinions stir ocean to madness, 
Thou the destroyer of herds, thou the scatterer of navies, 
Thou the breaker down of towers, 
Amidst the scream of thy rage, 
Amidst the rushing of thy onward wings, 
Though thy scream be loud as the cry of a perishing nation, 
Though the rushing of thy wings be like the roaring of ten thousand waves, 
Yet here, in thine ire and thy haste, 
Hear thou the voice of the Reim-kennar. 



"Thou hast met the pine-trees of Drontheim, 
Their dark-green heads lie prostrate beside their uprooted stems ; 
Thou hast met the rider of the ocean, 
The tall, the strong bark of the fearless rover, 
And she has struck to thee the topsail 
That she had not veil'd to a royal armada; 
Thou hast met the tower that bears its crest among the clouds, 
The battled massive tower of the Jarl of former days, 
And the cope-stone of the turret 
Is lying upon its hospitable hearth ; 
But thou too shalt stoop, proud compeller of clouds, 
When thou nearest the voice of the Reim-kennar. 



' There are verses that can stop the stag in the forest, 
Ay, and when the dark-colour' d dog is opening on his track; 
There are verses can make the wild hawk pause on his wing, 
Like the falcon that wears the hood and the jesses, 
And who knows the shrill whistle of the fowler 



44 THE PIRATE. 

Thou who canst mock at the scream of the drowning mariner, 

And the crash of the ravaged forest, 

And the groan of the overwhelmed crowds 

When the church hath fallen in the moment of prayer, 

There are sounds which thou also must list, 

When they are chanted by the voice of the Reim-kennar. 

" Enough of woe hast thou wrought on the ocean, 
The widows wring their hands on the beach : 
Enough of woe hast thou wrought on the land, 
The husbandman folds his arms in despair ; 
Cease thou the waving of thy pinions. 
Let the ocean repose in her dark strength ; 
Cease thou the flashing of thine eye, 
Let the thunderbolt sleep in the armoury of Odin ; 
Be thou still at my bidding, viewless racer of the north-western heaven, 
Sleep thou at the voice of Noma the Reim-kennar!" 

We have said that Mordaunt was naturally fond of romantic poetry 
and romantic situation ; it is not therefore surprising that he listened 
with interest to the wild address thus uttered to the wildest wind of the 
compass, in a tone of such dauntless enthusiasm. But though he had 
heard so much of the Runic rhyme and of the northern spell in the 
country where he had so long dwelt, he was not on this occasion so 
credulous as to believe that the tempest, which had raged so lately, and 
which was now beginning to decline, was subdued before the charmed 
verse of Noma. Certain it was that the blast seemed passing away, 
and the apprehended danger was already over ; but it was not impro- 
bable that this issue had been for some time foreseen by the Pytho- 
ness, through signs of the weather imperceptible to those" who had not 
dwelt long in the country, or had not been bestowed on the meteorolo- 
gical phenomena the attention of a strict and close observer. Of Noma's 
experience he had no doubt, and that went a far way to explain what 
seemed supernatural in her demeanour. Yet still the noble countenance, 
half-shaded by dishevelled tresses, the air of majesty with which, in a 
tone of menace as Avell as of command, she addressed the viewless spirit 
of the tempest, gave him a strong inclination to believe in the ascend- 
ancy of the occult arts over the powers of nature ; for, if a woman ever 
moved on earth to whom such authority over the laAvs of the universe 
could belong, Noma of Fitful-head, judging from bearing, figure, and 
face, was born to that high destiny. 

The rest of the company were less slow in receiving conviction. To 
Tronda and the j agger none was necessary ; they had long believed in 
the full extent of Noma's authority over the elements. But Triptole- 
mus and his sister gazed at each other with wondering and alarmed 
looks, especially when the wind began perceptibly to decline, as was re- 
markably visible during the pauses which Noma made betwixt the 
strophes of her incantation. A long silence followed the last verse, un- 
*til Noma resumed her chant, but with a changed and more soothing 
modulation of voice and tune. 

" Eagle of the far north-western waters, 
Thou has heard the voice of the Reim-kennar, 
Thou hast closed thy wide s;iils at her bidding, 
And folded them in peace by thy side. 
My blessing be on thy retiring path ! 



THE PIRATE. 45 

When thou stoopest from thy place on high, 

Soft be thy slumbers in the caverns of the unknown ocean, 

Rest till destiny shall again awaken thee ; 

Eagle of the north-west, thou hast heard the voice of the Reim-kennav ! ' 

"A pretty sang that would be to keep the corn from shaking in 
har'st, whispered the agriculturist to his sister; "we must speak her 
fair, Baby — she will maybe part with the secret for a hundred punds 
Scots." 

" An hundred fules' heads !" replied Baby — " bid her five marks of 
ready siller. I never knew a witch in my life but she was as poor as 
Job." 

Noma turned towards them as if she had guessed their thoughts ; it 
may be that she did so. She passed them with a look of the most sovereign 
contempt, and walking to the table on which the preparations for Mrs 
Barbara's frugal meal were already disposed, she filled a small wooden 
quaigh from an earthen pitcher which contained bland, a subacid liquor 
made out of the serous part of the milk. She broke a single morsel 
from a barley-cake, and having eaten and drunk, returned towards the 
churlish hosts. " I give you no thanks," she said, " for my refresh- 
ment, for you bid me not welcome to it ; and thanks bestowed on a 
churl are like the dew of heaven on the cliffs of Foulah, where it finds 
nought that can be refreshed by its influences. I give you no thanks," 
she said again, but drawing from her pocket a leathern purse that 
seemed large and heavy, she added, " I pay you with what you will 
value more than the gratitude of the whole inhabitants of Hailtland. 
Say not that Noma of Fitful-head hath eaten of your bread and drunk 
of your cup, and left you sorrowing for the charge to which she hath 
put your house." So saying, she laid on the table a small piece of 
antique gold coin, bearing the rude and half-defaced effigies of some 
ancient northern king. 

Triptolemus and his sister exclaimed against this liberality with 
vehemence ; the first protesting that he kept no public, and the other 
exclaiming, " Is the carline mad ? Heard ye ever of ony of the gentle 
house of Clinkscale that gave meat for siller ?" 

" Or for love either '?" muttered her brother : " haud to that, tittie." 

"What are ye whittle- whattieing about, ye gowk?" said his gentle 
sister, who suspected the tenor of his murmurs ; gie the lady back her 
bonnie-die there, and be blithe to be sae rid on't — it will be a sclate- 
stane the morn, if not something worse." 

The honest factor lifted the money to return it, yet could not help 
being struck when he saw the impression, and his hand trembled as he 
handed it to his .sister. ■ 

" Yes," said the Pythoness again, as if she read the thoughts of the 
astonished pair, " you have seen that coin before — beware how you use 
it ! It thrives not with the sordid or the mean-souled — it was won . 
with honourable danger, and must be expended with honourable liber- 
aiity. The treasure which lies under a cold hearth will one day, like 
the hidden talent, bear witness against its avaricious possessors." 

This last obscure intimation seemed to raise the alarm and the 
wonder of Mrs Baby and her brother to the uttermost. The latter tried 
to stammer out something like an invitation to Noma to tarry with 



46 THE PIRATE. 

them all night, or at least to take share of the " dinner," so he at first 
called it ; hut looking at the company, and remembering the limited 
contents of the pot, he corrected the phrase, and hoped she would take 
some part of the " snack, which would be on the taole ere a man could 
loose a pleugh." 

" I eat not here — I sleep not here," replied Noma — " nay, I relieve 
you not only of my own presence, but I will dismiss your unwelcome 
guests. Mordaunt," she added, addressing young Mertoun, " the dark 
fit is past, and your father looks for you this evening." 

" Do you return in that direction f ' said Mordaunt. " I will but eat 
a morsel, and give you my aid, good mother, on the road. The brooks 
must be out, and the journey perilous." 

" Our ways lie different, answered the Sibyl, " and Noma needs 
not mortal arm to aid her on the way. I am summoned far to the east 
by those who know well how to "smooth my passage. For thee, Bryce 
Snailsfoot," she continued, speaking to the pedlar, " speed thee on to 
Sumburgh — the Roost will afford thee a gallant harvest, and worthy 
the gathering in. Much goodly ware will ere now be seeking a new 
owner, and the careful skipper will sleep still enough in the deep haaf, 
and care not that bale and kist are dashing against the shores." 

" Na, na, good mother," answered Snailsfoot, " I desire no man's 
life for my private advantage, and am just grateful for the blessing of 
Providence on my sma' trade. But doubtless one man's loss is an- 
other's gain; and as these storms destroy a' thing on land, it is but fair 
they suld send us something by sea. Sae, taking the freedom, like 
yourselL mother, to borrow a lump of barley-bread, and a draught of 
bland, I will bid good-day, and thank you, to this good gentleman and 
lady, and e'en go on my way to Jarlshof, as you advise." 

" Ay," replied the Pythoness, " where the slaughter is, the eagles 
will be gathered ; and where the wreck is on the shore, the i agger is as 
busy to purchase spoil as the shark to gorge upon the dead. 

This rebuke, if it was intended for such, seemed above the compre- 
hension of the travelling merchant, who, bent upon gain, assumed the 
knapsack and ellwand, and asked Mordaunt, with the familiarity per- 
mitted in a wild country, whether he would not take company along 
with him I 

" I wait to eat some dinner with Mr Yellowley and Mrs Baby," 
answered the youth, " and will set forward in half-an-hour." 

" Then I'll just take my piece in my hand," said the pedlar. Ac- 
cordingly he muttered a benediction, and, without more ceremony, 
helped himself to what, in Mrs Baby's covetous eyes, appeared to be 
two-thirds of the bread, took a long pull at the jug of bland, seized on 
a handful of the small fish called smocks, which the domestic was just 
placing on the board, and left the room without farther ceremony. 

" My certie," said the despoiled Mrs Baby, " there is the chapman's 
drouth* and his hunger baith, as folk say ! If the laws against vagrants 
be executed this gate— it's no that I wad shut the door against decent 

1 The chapman's drouth, that is, the pedlar's thirst, is proverhial in Scotland, because 
these pedestrian traders were in the use of modestly asking only for a drink of water, 
when, in fact, they were desirous of food. 



THE PIRATE. 47 

folk," she said, looking to Mordaunt, " more especially in such judg- 
ment-weather. But I see the goose is dished, poor thing." 

This she spoke in a tone of affection for the smokedjgoose, which, 
though it had long been an inanimate inhabitant of her chimney, was 
far more interesting to Mrs Baby in that state than when it screamed 
amongst the clouds. Mordaunt laughed and took his seat, then turned 
to look for Noma ; but she had glided from the apartment during the 
discussion with the pedlar. 

" I am glad she is gane, the dour carline," said Mrs Baby, " though 
she has left, that piece of gowd to be an everlasting shame to us." 

"Whisht, mistress, for the love of heaven!" said Tronda Drons- 
daughter; "wha kens where she may be this moment'/ — we are no 
sure but she may hear us, though we cannot see her." 

Mistress Baby cast a startled eye around, and instantly recovering 
herself, for she was naturally courageous as well as violent, said, "I 
bade her aroint before, and I bid her aroint again, whether she sees me 
or hears me, or whether she's ower the cairn and awa. — And you, ye 
silly sumph," she said to poor Yellowley, " what do ye stand glower- 
ing there for ? You a Saunt Andrews' student ! — you studied lair and 
Latin humanities, as ye ca' them, and daunted wi' the clavers of an 
auld randie wife ! Say your best college grace, man, and witch, or nae 
witch, we'll eat our dinner, and defy her. And for the value of the 
gowden piece, it shall never be said I pouched her siller. I will gie it 
to some poor body — that is, I will test 1 upon it at my death, and keep 
it for a purse-penny till that day comes, and that's no using it in the 
way of spending-siller. Say your best college grace, man, and let us 
eat and drink in the meantime." 

" Ye had muckle better say an oraamus to Saint Ronald, and fling 
a saxpence ower your left shouther, master," said Tronda. 2 

"That ye may pick it up, ye jaud," said the implacable Mistress 
Baby ; " it will be lang or ye win the worth of it ony other gate. — Sit 
down, Triptolemus, and mindna the words of a daft wife." 

"Daft or wise," replied Yellowley, very much disconcerted, "she 
kens more than I would wish she kend. It was awfu' to see sic a wind 
fa' at the voice of flesh and blood like oursells— and then yon about the 
hearth-stane — I cannot but think " 

" If ye cannot but think," said Mrs Baby, very sharply, " at least 
ye can haud your tongue V 

The agriculturist made no reply, but sate down to their scanty meal, 
and did the honours of it with unusual heartiness to his new guest, the 
first of the intruders who had arrived, and the last who left them. The 
sillocks speedily disappeared ; and the smoked goose, with its appen- 
dages, took wing so effectually, that Tronda, to whom the polishing of 
the bones had been destined, found the task accomplished, or nearly 
so, to her hand. After dinner, the host produced Ins bottle of brandy ; 
but Mordaunt, whose general habits were as sober almost as those of 
his father, laid a very light tax upon this unusual exertion of hospitality. 

During the meal, they learned so much of young Mordaunt, and of 

1 Test upon it, i.e., leave it in my will; a mode of bestowing charity to which many 
are partial as well as the good dame in. the text 

2 See Note F. Saint Ronald. 



48 THE PIRATE. 



.. 



his father, that even Baby resisted his wish to reassume his wet gar- 
ments, and pressed him (at the risk of an expensive supper being added 
to the charges of the day) to tarry with them till the next morning. 
But what Norna had said excited the youth's wish to reach home, nor, 
however far the hospitality of Stourburgh was extended in his behalf, 
did the house present any particular temptations to induce him to re- 
main there longer. He therefore accepted the loan of the factor's 
clothes, promising to return them and send for his own ; and took a 
civil leave of his host and Mrs Baby, the latter of whom, however 
affected by the loss of her goose, could not but think the cost Avell be- 
stowed (since it was to be expended at all) upon so handsome and 
cheerful a youth. 



CHAPTER VII. 

She does no work by halves, yon raving ocean ; 
Ingulphing those she strangles, her wild womb 
Affords the mariners whom she hath dealt on, 
Their death at once, and sepulchre. 

Old Play. 

There were ten " lang Scots miles " betwixt Stourburgh and Jarls 
hof ; and though the pedestrian did not number all the impediment 
which crossed Tam o' Shanter's path, — for, in a country where ther 
are neither hedges nor stone enclosures, there can be neither "slap 
nor stiles," — yet the number and nature of the "mosses and waters'' 
which he had to cross in his peregrination were fully sufficient t 
balance the account, and to render his journey as toilsome and danger 
ous as Tam o' Shanter's celebrated retreat from Ayr. Neither witc. | 
nor warlock crossed Mordaunt's path, however. The length of the da) 
was already considerable, and he arrived safe at Jarlshof by eleve: 
o'clock at night. All was still and dark round the mansion ; and i 
was not till he had whistled twice or thrice beneath Swertha's windoi 
that she replied to the signal. 

At the first sound, Swertha fell into an agreeable dream of a youn 
Avhale-fisher, who some forty years since used to make such a signal be 
neath the window of her hut ; at the second, she waked to remembe 
that Johnnie Fea had slept sound among the frozen waves of Greenlan 
for this many a year, and that she was Mr Mertoun's goveraante a 
Jarlshof ; at the third, she arose and opened the window. 

" Whae is that," she demanded, "at sic an hour of the night !" 

" It is I," said the youth. 

" And what for comena ye in 1 The door's on the latch, and ther 
is a gathering peat on the kitchen-fire, and a spunk beside it — ye cai 
light your ain candle." 

" All well," replied Mordaunt ; but I want to know how my fathe 
is." 

"Just in his ordinary, gude gentleman— asking for you, Maiste: 
Mordaunt ; ye are ower far and ower late in your walks, young gentle 
man." 



THE PIRATE. 49 

" Then the dark hour has passed, Swertha V } 

"In troth has it, Maister Mordaunt," answered the governante; 
"and your father is very reasonably good-natured for him, poor gentle-' 
man. I spoke to him twice yesterday without his speaking first ; and 
the first time he answered me as civil as you could do, and the neist 
time he bade me no plague him ; and then, thought I, three times were 
aye canny, so I spake to him again for luck s sake, and he called me a 
chattering old devil ; but it was quite and clean in a civil sort of way." 

" Enough, enough, Swertha," answered Mordaunt ; " and now get 
up, and find me something to eat, for I have dined but poorly." 

" Then you have been at the new folk's at Stourburgh ; for there is 
no another house in a' the Isles but they wad hae gi'en ye the best 
share of the best they had ? Saw ye aught of Noma of the Fitful- 
head? She went to Stourburgh this morning, and returned to the 
town at night." 

" Returned ! — then she is here ? How could she travel three leagues 
and better in so short a time ?" 

" Wha kens how she travels?" replied Swertha ; "but I heard her 
tell the Ranzelman wi' my ain lugs, that she intended that day to have 
gone on to Burgh-Westra, to speak with Minna Troil, but she had seen 
that at Stourburgh (indeed she said at Harfra, for she never calls it by 
the other name of Stourburgh) that sent her back to our town. But 
gang your ways round, and ye shall have plenty of supper — ours is 
nae toom pantry, and still less a locked ane, though my master be a 
stranger, and no just that tight in the upper rigging, as the Ranzel- 
man says." 

Mordaunt walked round to the kitchen accordingly, where Swertha' s 
care speedily accommodated him with a plentiful, though coarse meal, 
which indemnified him for the scanty hospitality he had experienced at 
Stourburgh. 

In the morning, some feelings of fatigue made young Mertoun later 
than usual in leaving his bed; so that, contrary to what was the 
ordinary case, he found his father in the apartment where they eat, 
and which served them indeed for every common purpose, save that of 
a bedchamber or of a kitchen. The son greeted the father in mute 
reverence, and waited until he should address him. 

"You Avere absent yesterday, Mordaunt?" said his father. Mor- 
daunt' s absence had lasted a week and more ; but he had often observ- 
ed that his father never seemed to notice how time passed during the 
period when he was affected with his sullen vapours. He assented to 
what the elder Mr Mertoun had said. 

" And you were at Burgh-Westra, as I think ?" continued his father. 

"Yes, sir," replied' Mordaunt. 

The elder Mertoun was then silent for some time, and paced the 
floor in deep silence, with an air of sombre reflection, which seemed as 
if he were about to relapse into his moody fit. Suddenly turning to his 
son, however, he observed, in the tone of a query, " Magnus Troil has 
two daughters — they must be now young women ; they are thought 
handsome, of course ?" 

" Very generally, sir," answered Mordaunt, rather surprised to hear 
his father making any inquiries about the individuals of a sex which he 



50 THE PIRATE. 

usually thought so light of, a surprise which was much increased by the 
next question, put as abruptly as the former. 

" Which think you the handsomest ?" 

" I, sir ?" replied his son with some wonder, but without embarrass- 
ment — " I really am no judge — I never considered which was absolutely 
the handsomest. They are both very pretty young women." 

" You evade my question, Mordaunt ; perliaps I have some very par- 
ticular reason foi my wish to be acquainted with your taste in this mat- 
ter. I am not used to waste words for no purpose. I ask you again, 
which of Magnus Troil's daughters you think most handsome ?" 

"Really, sir," replied Mordaunt— " but you only jest in asking me 
such a question." 

" Young man," replied Mertoun, with eyes which began to roll and 
sparkle with impatience, "I never jest. I desire an answer to my 
question." 

" Then, upon my word, sir," said Mordaunt, " it is not in my power 
to form a judgment betwixt the young ladies — they are both very pretty, 
but by no means like each other. Minna is dark-haired, and more grave 
than her sister — more serious, but by no means either dull or sullen." 

" Um," replied his father ; " you have been gravely brought up, and 
this Minna, I suppose, pleases you most?" 

" No, sir, really I can give her no preference over her sister Brenda, 
who is as gay as a lamb in a spring morning — less tall than her sister, 
but so well formed, and so excellent a dancer " 

" That she is best qualified to amuse the young man who has a dull 
home and a moody father ?" said Mr Mertoun. 

Nothing in his father's conduct had ever surprised Mordaunt so much 
as the obstinacy with which he seemed to pursue a theme so foreign to 
his general train of thought and habits of conversation ; but he con- 
tented himself with answering once more, " that both the young ladies 
were highly admirable, but he had never thought of them with the wish 
to do either injustice, by ranking her lower than her sister — that others 
would probably decide between them, as they happened to be partial to 
a grave or a gay disposition, or to a dark or fair complexion ; but that 
he could see no excellent quality in the one that was not balanced by 
something equally captivating in the other." 

It is possible that even the coolness with which Mordaunt made this 
explanation might not have satisfied his father concerning the subject 
of investigation ; but Swertha at this moment entered with breakfast, 
and the youth, notwithstanding his late supper, engaged in that meal 
with an air which satisfied Mertoun that lie held it matter of more 
grave importance than the conversation which they had just had, and 
that he had nothing more to say upon the subject explanatory of the 
answers he had already given. He shaded his brow with his hand, and 
looked long fixedly upon the young man as he was busied with his 
morning meal. There was neither abstraction nor a sense of being ob- 
served in any of his motions ; all was frank, natural, and open. 

" lie is fancy-free," muttered Mertoun to himself — " so young, so 
lively, and so imaginative, so handsome and so attractive in face and 
person, strange, that at his age, and in his circumstances, he should 
nave avoided the meshes which catch all the world beside r 



THE PIRATE. 51 

When the breakfast was over, the elder Mertoun, instead of propos- 
ing, as usual, that his son, who awaited his commands, should betake 
himself to one branch or other of his studies, assumed his hat and staff, 
and desired that Mordaunt should accompany him to the top of the 
cliff, called Sumburgfi-head, and from thence look out upon the state 
of the ocean, agitated as it must still be by the tempest of the preced- 
ing day. Mordaunt was at the age when young men willingly exchange 
sedentary pursuits for active exercise, and started up with alacrity to 
comply with his father's request ; and in the course of a few minutes 
they were mounting together the hill, which, ascending from the land 
side in a long, steep, and grassy slope, sinks at once from the summit 
to the sea in an abrupt and tremendous precipice. 

The day was delightful ; there was just so much motion in the air as 
to disturb the little fleecy clouds which were scattered on the horizon, 
and by floating them occasionally over the sun, to chequer the landscape 
with that variety of light and shade which often gives to a bare and 
unenclose'd scene, for the time at least, a species of charm approaching 
to the varieties of a cultivated and planted country. A thousand flit- 
ting hues of light and shade played over the expanse of wild moor ? rocks, 
and inlets, which, as they climbed higher and higher, spread in wide 
and wider circuit around them. 

The elder Mertoun often paused and looked around upon the scene, 
and for some time his son supposed that he halted to enjoy its beauties ; 
but as they ascended still higher up the hill, he remarked his shortened 
breath and his uncertain and toilsome step, and became assured, with 
some feelings of alarm, that his father's strength was, for the moment, 
exhausted, and that he fomid the ascent more toilsome and fatiguing 
than usual. To draw close to his side, and offer him in silence the 
assistance of his arm, was an act of youthful deference to advanced age, 
as well as of filial reverence ; and Mertoun seemed at first so to re- 
ceive it, for he took in silence the advantage of the aid thus afforded 
him. 

It was but for two or three minutes, however, that the father availed 
himself of his son's support! They had not ascended fifty yards farther, 
ere he pushed Mordaunt suddenly, if not rudely, from him ; and, as 
if stung into exertion by some sudden recollection, began to mount the 
acclivity with such long and quick steps, that Mordaunt, in his turn, 
was obliged to exert himself to keep pace with him. He knew his 
father's peculiarity of disposition ; he was aware, from many slight cir- 
cumstances, that he loved him not even while he took much pains with 
his education, and while he seemed to be the sole object of his care 
upon earth. But the conviction had never been more strongly or more 

Swerfully forced upon him than by the hasty churlishness with which 
ertoun rejected from a son that assistance which most elderly men 
are willing to receive from youths with whom they are but slightly con- 
nected, as a tribute which it is alike graceful to yield and pleasing to 
receive. Mertoun, however, did not seem to perceive the effect which 
his unkindness had produced upon his son's feelings. He paused upon 
a sort of level terrace which they had now attained, and addressed his 
son with an indifferent tone, which seemed in some degree affected. 
" Since you have so few inducements, Mordaunt, to remain in these 



52 THE PIRATE. 

wild islands, I suppose you sometimes wish to look a littie more abroad 
into the world ?" 

" By my word, sir," replied Mordaunt, " I cannot say I ever have 
thought on such a subject." 

" And why not, young man ?" demanded his father ; " it were but 
natural, I think, at your age. At your age, the fair and varied breadth 
of Britain could not gratify me, much less the compass of a sea-girdled 
peat-moss." 

"I have never thought of leaving Zetland, sir," replied the son. 
" I am happy here, and have friends. You yourself, sir, would miss 
me, unless indeed " 

" Why, thou wouldst not persuade me," said his father, somewhat 
hastilv, "that you stay here, or desire to stay here, for the love of 
me?" 

" Why should I not, sir ?" answered Mordaunt, mildly ; " it is my 
duty, and I hope I have hitherto performed it." 

" Oh, ay," repeated Mertoun, in the same tone — " your duty — your 
duty. So it is the duty of the dog to follow the groom that feeds him." 

" And does he not do so, sir ?" said Mordaunt. 

" Ay," said his father, turning his head aside ; " but he fawns only 
on those who caress him." 

" I hope, sir," replied Mordaunt, " I have not been found deficient V 

" Say no more on't — say no more on't," said Mertoun, abruptly, 
" we have both done enough by each other — we must soon part — Let 
that be our comfort — if our separation should require comfort." 

" I shall be ready to obey your wishes," said Mordaunt, not alto- 
gether displeased at what promised him an opportunity of looking 
farther abroad into the world. " I presume it will be your pleasure 
that I commence my travels with a season at the whale-fishing." 

" Whale-fishing ! " replied Mertoun ; " that were a mode indeed of 
seeing the world ! but thou speakest but as thou hast learned. Enough 
of this for the present. Tell me where you had shelter from the storm 
yesterday." 

" At Stourburgh, the house of the new factor from Scotland." 

" A pedantic, fantastic, visionary schemer," said Mertoun — " and 
whom saw you there /" 

" His sister, sir," replied Mordaunt, " and old Noma of the Fitful- 
head." 

" What ! the mistress of the potent spell," answered Mertoun, with 
a sneer — " she who can change the wind by pulling her curch on one 
side, as King Erick used to do by turning his cap ? The dame journeys 
far from home— how fares she \ Does she get rich by selling favour- 
able winds to those who are port-bound ?" x 

" I really do not know, sir," said Mordaunt, whom certain recollec- 
tions prevented from freely entering into his fathers humour. 

" You think the matter too serious to be jested with, or perhaps 
esteem her merchandise too light to be cared after," continued Mertoun, 
in the same sarcastic tunc, which was the nearest approach he ever 
made to cheerfulness ; " but consider it more deeply. Everything in 
the universe is bought and sold, and why not wind, if the merchant 

i See Note G. Sale of Winds. 



* 



THE PIRATE. 53 

can find purchasers ? The earth is rented, from its surface down to its 
most centra] mines ; — the fire, and the means of feeding it, are cur- 
rently bought and sold ; — the wretches that sweep the boisterous ocean 
with their nets pay ransom for the privilege of being drowned in it. 
What title has the air to be exempted from the universal course of 
traffic ? All above the earth, under the earth, and around the earth 
has its price, its sellers, and its purchasers. In many countries the 
priests will sell you a portion of heaven — in all countries men are willing 
to buy, in exchange for health, wealth, and peace of conscience, a full 
allowance of hell. Why should not Noma pursue her traffic ?" 

" Nay, I knoAV no reason against it," replied Mordaunt ; " only I 
wish she would part with the commodity in smaller quantities. Yester- 
day she was a wholesale dealer — whoever treated with her had too 
good a pennyworth." 

" It is even so," said the father, pausing on the verge of the wild 
promontory which they had attained, where the huge precipice sinks 
abruptly down on the wide and tempestuous ocean, " and the effects 
are still visible." 

The face of that lofty cape is composed of the soft and crumbling 
stone called sand-flag, which gradually becomes decomposed, and yields 
to the action of the atmosphere, and is split into large masses, that 
hang loose upon the verge of the precipice, and, detached from it by 
the fury of the tempests, often .descends with great fury into the vexed 
abyss which lashes the foot of the rock. Numbers of these huge frag- 
ments lie strewed beneath the rocks from which they have fallen, and - 
amongst these the tide foams and rages with a fury peculiar to these 
latitudes. 

At the period when Mertoun and his son looked from the verge of 
'the precipice, the wide sea still heaved and swelled with the agitation 
of yesterday's storm, which had been far too violent in its effects on 
the ocean to subside speedily. The tide therefore poured on the head- 
land with a fury deafening to the ear, and dizzying to the eye, threat- 
ening instant destruction to whatever might be at the time involved in 
its current. The sight of Nature, in her magnificence, or in her beauty, 
or in her terrors, has at all times an overpowering interest, Avhich even 
habit cannot greatly weaken ; and both father and son sat themselves 
down on the cliff to look out upon that unbounded war of waters, which 
rolled in their wrath to the foot of the precipice. 

At once Mordaunt, whose eyes were sharper, and probably his atten- 
tion more alert, than that of his father, started up, and exclaimed, 
" God in Heaven ! there is a vessel in the Roost." 

Mertoun looked to the north-westward, and an object was visible 
amid the rolling tide. " She shows no sail," he observed ; and im- 
mediately added, after looking at the object through his spyglass, " She 
is dismasted, and lies a sheer hulk upon the water." 

"And is drifting on the Sumburgh-head," exclaimed Mordaunt, 
struck with horror, " without the slightest means of weathering the 
cape !" 

" She makes no effort," answered his father ; " she is probably de- 
serted by her crew." 

" And in such a day as yesterday," replied Mordaunt, " when no 



54 THE PIRATE. 

open boat could live were she manned with the best men ever handled 
an oar — all must have perished." 

" It is most probable," said his father, with stern composure ; " and 
one day, sooner or later, all must have "perished. What signifies 
whether the Fowler, whom nothing escapes, caught them up at one 
swoop from yonder shattered deck, or whether he clutched them indi- 
vidually, as chance gave them to his grasp 1 "What signifies it 'I — the 
deck, the battle-field, are scarce more fatal to us than our table and 
our bed ; and we are saved from the one, merely to drag out a heartless 
and wearisome existence, till we perish at the other. Would the hour 
were come — that hour which reason would teach us to wish for, were it 
not that nature has implanted the fear of it so strongly within us ! You 
wonder at such a reflection, because life is yet new to you. Ere you 
have attained my age, it will be the familiar companion of your 
thoughts." 

" Surely, sir," replied Mordaunt, " such distaste to life is not the 
necessary consequence of advanced age?" 

" To all who have sense to estimate that which it is really worth," 
said Mertoun. " Those who, like Magnus Troil, possess so much of 
the animal impulse about them as to derive pleasure from sensual 
gratification, may perhaps, like the animals, feel pleasure in mere 
existence." 

Mordaunt liked neither the doctrine nor the example. He thought 
a man who discharged his duties towards others as well as the good old 
Udaller had a better right to have the sun shine fair on his setting, 
than that which he might derive from mere insensibility. But he let 
the subject drop ; for to dispute with his father had always the effect 
of irritating him ; and again he adverted to the condition of the wreck. 

The hulk, for it was little better, was now in the very midst of the 
current, and drifting at a great rate towards the foot of the precipice, 
upon whose verge they were placed. Yet it was a long while ere they 
had a distinct view of the object which they had at first seen as a black 
speck amongst the waters, and then, at a nearer distance, like a whale, 
which now scarce shows its back-fin above the waves, now throws to 
view its large black side. Now, however, they could more distinctly 
observe the appearance of the ship, for the huge swelling waves which 
bore her forward to the shore heaved her alternately high upon the 
surface, and then plunged her into the trough or furrow of the sea. 
She seemed a vessel of two or tluee hundred tons, fitted up for defence, 
for they could see her port-holes. She had been dismasted probably in 
the gale of the preceding day, and lay water-logged on the waves, a 
prey to their violence. It appeared certain that the crew, finding 
themselves unable either to direct the vessel's course, or to relieve her 
by pumping, had taken to their boats, and left her to her fate. All 
apprehensions were therefore unnecessary, so far as the immediate loss 
of human lives was concerned ; and yet it was not without a feeling of 
breathless awe that Mordaunt and his father beheld the vessel— that 
rare masterpiece by which human genius aspires to surmount the waves, 
and contend with the wind's — upon the point of falling a prey to them. 

Onward she came, the large black hulk seeming larger at every 
fathom's length. She came nearer until she bestrode the summit of 



THE PlilATE. 66 

one tremendous billow, which rolled on with her unbroken, till the wave 
and its burden were precipitated against the rock, and then the triumph 
of the elements over the work of human hands was at once completed. 
One wave, we have said, made the wrecked vessel completely manifest 
in her whole bulk, as it raised her, and bore her onward against the 
face of the precipice. But when that wave receded from the foot of the 
rock, the ship had ceased to exist ; and the retiring billow only bore 
back a quantity of beams, planks, casks, and similar objects, which 
swept out to the offing, to be brought in again by the next wave, and 
again precipitated upon the face of the rock. 

It was at this moment that Mordaunt conceived he saw a man float- 
ing on a plank or water-cask, which, drifting away from the main 
current, seemed about to go ashore upon a small spot of sand, where 
the water was shallow, and the waves broke more smoothly. To see the 
danger, and to exclaim, " He lives, and may yet be saved !" was the 
first impulse of the fearless Mordaunt. The next was, after one rapid 
glance at the front of the cliff, to precipitate himself — such seemed the 
rapidity of his movement — from the verge, and to commence, by means 
of slight fissures, projections, and crevices in the rock, a descent which, 
to a spectator, appeared little else than an act of absolute insanity. 

" Stop, I command you, rash boy !" said his father ; "the attempt is 
death. Stop, and take the safer path to the left." But Mordaunt was 
already completely engaged in his perilous enterprise. 

" Why should I prevent him ?" said his father, checking his anxiety 
with the stern and unfeeling philosophy whose principles he had adopted. 
" Should he die now, full of generous and high feeling, eager in the 
cause of humanity, happy in the exertion of his own conscious activity 
and youthful strength — should he die now, will he not escape misan- 
thropy, and remorse, and age, and the consciousness of decaying powers, 
both of body and mind 1 — I will not look upon it, however — I will not — 
I cannot behold his young light so suddenly quenched." 

He turned from the precipice accordingly, and hastening to the left 
for more than a quarter of a mile, he proceeded towards a riva, or cleft 
in the rock, containing a path, called Erick's Steps, neither safe, in- 
deed, nor easy, but the only one by which the inhabitants of Jarlshof 
were wont, for any purpose, to seek access to the foot of the precipice. 

But long ere Mertoun had reached even the upper end of the pass, 
his adventurous and active son had accomplished his more desperate 
enterprise. He had been in vain turned aside from the direct line of 
descent by the intervention of difficulties which he had not seen from 
above — his route became only more circuitous, but could not be inter- 
rupted. More than once, large fragments to which he was about to 
intrust his weight, gave way before him, and thundered down into the 
tormented ocean ; and in one or two instances, such detached pieces of 
rock rushed after him, as if to bear him headlong in their course. A 
courageous heart, a steady eye, a tenacious hand, and a firm foot, carried 
him through his desperate attempt ; and in the space of seven minutes 
he stood at the bottom of the cliff, from the verge of which he had 
achieved his perilous descent. 

The place which he now occupied was the small projecting spot of 
stones, sand, and gravel that extended a little way into the sea, which 



56 THE PIRATE. 

on the right hand lashed the very bottom of the precipice, and on the 
left was scarce divided from it by a small wave-worn portion of beach 
that extended as far as the foot of the rent in the rocks called Erick's 
Steps, by which Mordannt's father proposed to descend. 

When the vessel split and went to pieces, all was swallowed up in 
the ocean, which had, after the first shock, been seen to float upon the 
waves, excepting only a few pieces of wreck, casks, chests, and the 
like, which a strong eddy, formed by the reflux of the waves, had 
landed, or at least grounded, upon the shallow where Mordaunt now 
stood. Amongst these, his eager eye discovered the object that had at 
first engaged his attention, and which now, seen at nigher distance, 
proved to be in truth a man, and in a most precarious state. His arms 
were still wrapt with a close and convulsive grasp round the plank to 
which he had clung in the moment of the shock, but sense and the 
power of motion were fled ; and from the situation in which the plank 
lay, partly grounded upon the beach, partly floating in the sea, there 
was every chance that it might be again washed off shore, in which case 
death was inevitable. Just as he had made himself aware of these cir- 
cumstances, Mordaunt beheld a huge wave advancing, and hastened to 
interpose his aid ere it burst, aware that the reflux might probably 
sweep away the sufferer. 

He rushed into the surf, and fastened on the body, with the same 
tenacity, though under a different impulse, with that wherewith the 
hound seizes his prey. The strength of the retiring wave proved even 
stronger than he had expected, and it was not without a struggle for 
his own life, as Avell as for that of the stranger, that Mordaunt resisted 
being swept off with the receding billow, when, though an adroit swim- 
mer, the strength of the tide must either have dashed him against the 
rocks, or hurried him out to sea. He stood his ground, however, and 
ere another such billow had returned, he drew up, upon the small slip 
of dry sand, both the body of the stranger, and the plank to which he 
continued firmly attached. But how to save and to recall the means of 
ebbing life and strength, and how to remove into a place of greater 
safety the sufferer, who was incapable of giving any assistance towards 
his own preservation, were questions which Mordaunt asked himself 
eagerly, but in vain. 

He looked to the summit of the cliff on which he had left his father, 
and shouted to him for his assistance ; but his eye could not distinguish 
liis form, and his voice was only answered by the scream of the sea- 
birds. He gazed again on the sufferer. A dress richly laced, according 
to the fashion of the times, fine linen, and rings upon his fingers, evinced 
he was a man of superior rank ; and his features showed youth and 
comeliness, notwithstanding they were pallid and disfigured. He still 
breathed, but so feebly, that his respiration was almost imperceptible, 
and life seemed to keep such slight hold of his frame that there was 
every reason to fear it would become altogether extinguished, unless it 
were speedily reinforced. To loosen the handkerchief from his neck, to 
raise him with his face towards the breeze, to support him with his 
arms, was all that Mordaunt could do for his assistance, whilst he anxi- 
ously looked for some one who might lend his aid in dragging the un- 
fortunate to a more safe situation. 



THE PIRATE. 57 

At this moment he beheld a man advancing slowly and cautiously 
along the beach. He was in hopes, at first, it was his father, but in- 
stantly recollected that he had not had time to come round by the cir- 
cuitous descent to which he must necessarily have recourse, and be- 
sides, he saw that the man who approached him was shorter in stature. 

As he came nearer, Mordaunt was at no loss to recognise the pedlar 
whom the day before he had met with at Harfra, and who was known 
to him before upon many occasions. He shouted as loud as he could, 
" Bryce, hollo ! Bryce, come hither ! " But the merchant, intent upon 
picking up some of the spoils of the wreck, and upon dragging them 
out of reach of the tide, paid for some tune little attention to his 
shouts. 

When he did at length approach Mordaunt, it was not to lend him 
his aid, but to remonstrate with him on his rashness in undertaking the 
charitable office. " Are you mad ? " said he ; " you that have lived sae 
lang in Zetland, to risk the saving of a drowning man ? Wot ye not, 
if you bring him to life again, he will be sure to do you some capital 
injury? ' — Come, Master Mordaunt, bear a hand to what's mair to the 
purpose. Help me to get ane or twa of these kists ashore before any- 
body else comes, and we shall share, like good Christians, what God 
sends us, and be thankful." 

Mordaunt was indeed no stranger to this inhuman superstition, cur- 
rent at a former period among the lower orders of the Zetlanders, and 
the more generally adopted, perhaps, that it served as an apology for 
refusing assistance to the unfortunate victims of shipwreck, while they 
made plunder of their goods. At any rate, the opinion, that to save a 
drowning man was to run the risk of future injury from him, formed a 
strange contradiction in the character of these islanders ; who, hospit- 
able, generous, and disinterested on all other occasions, were some- 
times, nevertheless, induced by this superstition to refuse their aid in 
those mortal emergencies which were so common upon their rocky and 
stormy coasts. We are happy to add, that the exhortation and example 
of the proprietors have eradicated even the traces of this inhuman be- 
lief, of which there might be some observed within the memory of those 
now alive. It is strange that the minds of men should have ever been 
hardened towards those involved in a distress to which they themselves 
were so constantly exposed ; but perhaps the frequent sight and con- 
sciousness of such danger tends to blunt the feelings to its consequences, 
whether affecting ourselves or others. 

Bryce was remarkably tenacious of this ancient belief ; the more so, 
perhaps, that the mounting of his pack depended less upon the ware- 
houses of Lerwick or Kirkwall than on the consequences of such a 
north-western gale as that of the day preceding ; for which (being a 
man who, in his own way, professed great devotion) he seldom failed 
to express his grateful thanks to Heaven. It was indeed said of him, 
that if he had spent the same time in assisting the wrecked seamen 
which he had employed in rifling their bales and boxes, he would have 
saved many lives, and lost much linen. He paid no sort of attention 
to the repeated entreaties of Mordaunt, although he was now upon the 
same slip of sand Avith him. It was well known to Bryce as a place on 

1 See Note H. Reluctance to Save Drowning Men. 



58 THE PIRATE. 



rged; 



which the eddy was likely to land such spoils as the ocean disgorged ; 
and to improve the favourable moment, he occupied himself exclusively 
in securing and appropriating whatever seemed most portable, and of 
greatest value. At length Mordaunt saw the honest pedlar fix his 
views upon a strong sea-chest, framed of some Indian wood, well se- 
cured by brass plates, and seeming to be of a foreign construction. The 
stout lock resisted all Bryce's efforts to open it, until, with great com- 

Eosure, he plucked from his pocket a very neat hammer and chisel, and 
egan forcing the hinges. 

Incensed beyond patience at Ms assurance, Mordaunt caught up a 
wooden stretcner which lay near Mm, and laying his charge softly on 
the sand approached Bryce with a menacing gesture, and exclaimed. 
"You cold-blooded, inhuman rascal ! either get up instantly and lend 
me your assistance to recover this man, and bear him out of danger 
from the surf, or I will not only beat you to a mummy on the spot, but 
inform Magnus Troil of your thievery, that he may have you flogged 
till your bones are bare, and then bamsh you from the mainland !" 

The lid of the chest nad just sprung open as tMs rough address sa- 
luted Bryce's ears, and the inside presented a tempting view of wearing 
apparel for sea and land ; shirts, plain and with lace ruffles, a silver 
compass, a silver-hilted sword, and other valuable articles, which the 
pedlar well knew to be such as stir in the trade. He was half-disposed 
to start up, draw the sword, which was a cut-and-thrust, and "darraign 
battaile," as Spenser says, rather than quit his prize, or brook inter- 
ruption. Being, though short, a stout square-made personage, and not 
much past the prime of life, having besides the better weapon, ne might 
have given Mordaunt more trouble than his benevolent knight-errantry 
deserved. 

Already, as with vehemence he repeated Ms injunctions that Bryce 
should forbear his plunder, and come to the assistance of the dying 
man, the pedlar retorted with a voice of defiance, "Dinna swear, sir; 
dinna swear, sir — I will endure no swearing in my presence ; and if 
you lay a finger on me, that am taking the lawful spoil of the Egyp- 
tians, I will give ye a lesson ye shall remember from this day to Yule !" 

Mordaunt would speedily have put the pedlar's courage to the test, 
but a voice behind him suddenly said, "Forbear!" It was the voice 
of Noma of the Fitful-head, who, during the heat of their altercation, 
had approached them unobserved. " Forbear !" she repeated ; " and, 
Bryce, do thou render Mordaunt the assistance he requires. It shall 
avail thee more, and it is I who say the word, than all that you could 
earn to-day besides." 

" It is se'enteen hundred linen," said the pedlar, giving a tweak to 
one of the shirts, in that knowing manner with which matrons and 
judges ascertain the texture of the loom; — "it's se'enteen hundred 
linen, and as strong as an it were dowlas. Nevertheless, mother, your 
bidding is to be done ; and I would have done Mr Mordaunt's bidding 
too ? " he added, relaxing from his note of defiance into the deferential 
whining tone with which he cajoled his customers, "if he hadna made 
use of profane oaths, which made my very flesh grew, and caused me, 
in some sort, to forget myself." He then took a flask from his pocket, 
and approached the eMpwrecked man. " It's the best of brandy," he 



THE PIRAT3. 59 

said; "and if that does not cure him, I ken nought that will." So 
saying, he took a preliminary gulp himself, as if to show the quality of 
the liquor, and was about to put it to the man's mouth when, suddenly 
withholding his hand, he looked at Noma—" You ensure me against 
all risk of evil from him, if I am to render him my help ? — Ye ken 
yoursell what folk say, mother." 

For all other answer, Noma took the bottle from the pedlar's hand, 
and began to chafe the temples and throat of the shipwrecked man ; 
directing Mordaunt how to hold his head, so as to afford him the means 
of disgorging the sea- water which he had swallowed during his immersion. 

The pedlar looked on inactive for a moment, and then said, " To be 
sure, there is not the same risk in helping him, now he is out of the 
water, and lying high and dry on the beach ; and, to be sure, the prin- 
cipal danger is to those who first touch him ; and, to be sure, it is a 
world's pity to see how these rings are pinching' the puir creature's 
swalled fingers — they make his hand as blue as a partan's back before 
boiling." So saying, he seized one of the man's cold hands, which had 
just, by a tremulous motion, indicated the return of life, and began his 
charitable work of removing the rings, which seemed to be of some value. 

" As you love your life, forbear," said Noma, sternly, " or I will lay 
that on you which shall spoil your travels through the isles." 

" Now, for mercy's sake, mother, say nae mair about it," said the 
pedlar, " and I'll e'en do your pleasure in your ain way ! I did feel a 
rheumatixe in my back-spauld yestreen ; and it wad be a sair thing for 
the like of me to be debarred my quiet walk round the country in the 
way of trade — making the honest penny, and helping myself with what 
Providence sends on our coasts." 

" Peace, then," said the woman — " Peace, as thou wouldst not rue 
it ; and take this man on thy broad shoulders. His life is of value, 
and you will be rewarded." 

" I had muckle need," said the pedlar, pensively looking at the lid- 
less chest, and the other matters which strewed the sand ; " for he has 
corned between me and as muckle spreicherie as wad hae made a man 
of me for the rest of my life ; and now it maun lie here till the next 
tide sweep it a' doun the Roost after them that aught it yesterday 
morning." 

" Pear not," said Noma, " it will come to man's use. See, there 
come carrion crows, of scent as keen as thine own." 

She spoke truly ; for several of the people from the hamlet of Jarls- 
hof were now hastening along the beach to have their share in the 
spoil. The pedlar beheld them approach with a deep groan. " Ay, 
ay," he said, " the folk of Jaiishof, they will make clean wark ; they 
are kend for that far and wide ; they winna leave the value of a rotten 
ratlin ; and what's waur, there isna ane o' them has mense or sense 
eneugh to give thanks for the mercies when they have gotten them. 
There is the auld Ranzelman, Neil Ronaldson, that canna walk a mile 
to hear the minister, but he will hirple ten if he hears of a ship em- 
bayed." 

Noma, however, seemed to possess over him so complete an ascend- 
ancy that he no longer hesitated to take the man, who now gave strong 
symptoms of reviving existence, upon his shoulders ; and, assisted by 



60 THE PIRATE. 

Mordaunt, trudged along the sea-beach with his burden, without farther 
remonstrance. Ere he was borne off, the stranger pointed to the chest, 
and attempted to mutter something, to which Noma replied, " Enough. 
It shall be secured." 

Advancing towards the passage called Erick's Steps, by which they 
were to ascend the cliffs, they met the people from Jarlshof hastening 
in the opposite direction. Man and woman, as they passed, reverently 
made room for Noma, and saluted her — not without an expression of 
fear upon some of their faces. She passed them a few paces, and then 
turning back called aloud to the Ranzelman, who (though the practice 
was more common than legal) was attending the rest of the hamlet 
upon this plundering expedition. " Neil Ronaldson," she said, " mark 
my words. There stands yonder a chest, from which the lid has been 
just prized off. Look it be brought down to your own house at Jarls- 
hof just as it now is. Beware of moving or touching the slightest 
article. He were better in his grave that so much as looks at the con- 
tents. I speak not for nought, nor in aught will I be disobeyed." 

" Your pleasure shall be done, mother," said Ronaldson. " I war- 
rant we will Dot break bulk, since sic is your bidding." 

Far behind the rest of the villagers followed an old woman, talking 
to herself, and cursing her own decrepitude, which kept her the last of 
the party, yet pressing forward with all her might to get her share of 
the spoil. 

When they met her, Mordaunt was -astonished to recognise his 
father's old housekeeper. " How now," he said, " Swertha, what make 
you so far from home ?" 

"Just e'en daikering out to look after my auld master and your 
honour," replied SAvertha, who felt like a criminal caught in the man- 
ner ; for on more occasions than one, Mr Mertoun had intimated his 
disapprobation of such excursions as she was at present engaged in. 

But Mordaunt was too much engaged with his own thoughts to take 
much notice of her delinquency. "Have you seen my father?" he 
said. 

" And that I have," replied Swertha — " The gude gentleman was 
ganging to hirsel himsell doun Erick's Steps, whilk would have been 
the ending of him, that is in no way a cragsman. Sae I e'en gat him 
wiled away hame— and I was just seeking you that you may gang after 
him to the hall-house, for, to my thought, he is far frae weel." 

" My father unwell !" said Mordaunt, remembering the faintness he 
had exhibited at the commencement of that morning's walk. 

" Far frae weel — far frae weel," groaned out Swertha, with a piteous 
shake of the head — " white o' the gills — white o' the gills— and nim to 
think of coining down the riva !" 

" Return home, Mordaunt," said Noma, who was listening to what 
had passed. " I will see all that is necessary done for this man's relief, 
and you will find him at the Ranzelman's when you list to inquire. 
You cannot help Mm more than you already have done." 

Mordaunt felt this was true, and, commanding Swertha to follow him 
instantly, betook himself to the path homeward. 

Swertha hobbled reluctantly after her young master in the same 
direction, until she lost sight of him on his entering the cleft of the 



THE PIRATE. 61 

rock ; then instantly turned about, muttering to herself, "Haste home, 
in good sooth ? — haste home, and lose the best chance of getting a new 
rokelay and owerlay that I have had these ten years ? by my certie, 
na — It's seldom sic rich godsends come on our shore — no since the 
Jenny and James came ashore in King Charlie's time." 

So saying, she mended her pace as well as she could, and, a willing 
mind making amends for frail limbs, posted on with wonderful despatch 
to put in for her share of the spoil. She soon reached the beach, where 
the Ranzelman, stuffing his own pouches all the while, was exhorting 
the rest to part things fair, and be neighbourly, and to give to the 
auld and helpless a share of what was going, which, he charitably re- 
marked, would bring a blessing on the shore, and send them "mair 
wrecks ere winter." x 



CHAPTER VIII. 

He was a lovely youth, I guess ; 
The panther in the wilderness 

Was not so fair as he. 
And when he chose to sport and play, 
No dolphin ever was'so gay, 

Upon the tropic sea. 

WOKDSWORTH. 

The light foot of Mordatmt Mertoun was not long of bearing him to 
Jarlshof. He entered the house hastily, for what he himself had 
observed that morning corresponded in some degree with the ideas 
which Swertha's tale was calculated to excite. He found his father, 
however, in the inner apartment, reposing himself after his fatigue ; 
and his first question satisfied him that the good dame had practised a 
little imposition to get rid of them both. 

" "Where is this dying man, whom you have so wisely ventured your 
own neck to relieve 1" said the elder Mertoun to the younger. 

" Noma, sir," replied Mordaunt, " has taken him under her charge ; 
she understands such matters." 

" And is quack as well as witch 1 said the elder Mertoun. " With 
all my heart— it is a trouble saved. But I hasted home, on Swertha's 
hint, to look out for lint and bandages ; for her speech was of broken 
bones." 

Mordaunt kept silence, well knowing his father would not persevere 
in his inquiries upon such a matter, and not willing either to prejudice 
the old governante, or to excite his father to one of those excesses of 
passion into which he was apt to burst, when, contrary to his wont, he 
thought proper to correct the conduct of his domestic. 

It was late in the day ere old Swertha returned from her expedition, 
heartily fatigued, and bearing with her a bundle of some bulk, contain- 
ing, it would seem, her share of the spoil. Mordaunt instantly sought 
her out, to charge her with the deceits she had practised on both his 
father and himself; but the accused matron lacked not her reply. 

" By her troth," she said, " she thought it was time to bid Mr Mer- 
» See Note J. Mair Wrecks ere Winter. 



THE PIRATE. 



er am 



toun gang hame and get bandages when she had seen, with her 
twa een, Mordaunt ganging down the cliff like a wild-cat — it was to be 
thought broken bones would be the end, and lucky if bandages wad do 
any good ; — and, by her troth, she might weel tell Mordamit his father 
was puirly, and him looking sae white in the gills (whilk, she wad die 
upon it, was the very word she used), and it was a thing that coudna 
be denied by man at this very moment." 
" But, Swertha," said Mordaunt, as soon as her clamorous defence 

fave him time to speak in reply, " how came you, that should have 
een busy with your housewifery and your spinning, to be out this 
morning at Erick's Steps, in order to take all this unnecessary care of 
my father and me ? And what is in that bundle, Swertha ? for I fear, 
Swertha, you have been transgressing the law, and have been out upon 
the wrecking system." 

" Fair fa' your sonsy face, and the blessing of Saint Ronald upon 
you!" said Swertha, in a tone betwixt coaxing and jesting; "would 
you keep a puir body frae mending hersell, and sae muckle gear lying 
on the loose sand for the lifting? Hout, Maister Mordaunt, a ship 
ashore is a sight to wile the minister out of his very pu'pit in the middle 
of Ms preaching, muckle mair a puir auld ignorant wife frae her rock 
and her tow. And little did I get for my day's wark — just some rags 
o' cambric things, and a bit or twa of coorse claith, and sic like — the 
strong and the hearty get a' thing in this warld." 

" Yes, Swertha," replied Mertoun, " and that is rather hard, as you 
must have your share of punishment in this world and the next, for 
robbing the poor mariners. 

" Hout, callant, wha wad punish an auld wife like me for a wheen 
duds ? Folk speak muckle black ill of Earl Patrick ; but he was a 
freend to the shore, and made wise laws against ony body helping 
vessels that were like to gang on the breakers. 1 And the mariners, I 
have heard Bryce Jagger say, lose their right frae the time keel touches 
sand ; and, moreover, they are dead and gane, poor souls, dead and 
gane, and care little about warld' s wealth now ; nay, nae mair than the 
great Jarls and Sea-kings, in the Norse days, did about the treasures 
that they buried in the tombs and sepulchres auld langsyne. Did I 
ever tell you the sang, Maister Mordaunt, how Olaf Tryguarson garr'd 
hide five gold crouns in the same grave with him?" 

" No, Swertha," said Mordaunt, who took pleasure in tormenting 
the cunning old plunderer, " you never told me that ; but I tell you, 
that the stranger whom Noma has taken down to the town will be 
well enough to-morrow to ask where you have hidden the goods that 
you have stolen from the wreck." 

" But wha will tell him a word about it, hinnie ?" said Swertha, look- 
ing slyly up in her young master's face, " the mair by token, since I 
maun tell ye, that I have a bonny remnant of silk amang the lave, that 
will make a dainty waistcoat to yoursell, the first merry-making ye 
gang to." 

Mordaunt could no longer forbear laughing at the cunning with 
which the old dame proposed to bribe off his evidence by imparting a 

I Tliis was literally true. 



THE PIRATE. 63 

portion of her plunder ; and, desiring her to get ready what provision 
she had made for dinner, he returned to his father, -whom he found still 
sitting in the same place, and nearly in the same posture, in which he 
had left him. 

When their hasty and frugal meal was finished, Mordaunt announced 
to his father his purpose of going down to the town, or hamlet, to look 
after the shipwrecked sailor. 

The elder Mertoun assented with a nod. 

" He must be ill accommodated there, sir," added his son — a hint 
which only produced another nod of assent. " He seemed, from his 
appearance," pursued Mordaunt, " to be of very good rank— and ad- 
mitting these poor people do their best to receive him in his present 
weak state, yet " 

" I know what you would say," said his father, interrupting him ; 
" we, you think, ought to do something towards assisting him. Go to 
him, then — if he lacks money, let him name the sum, and he shall 
have it ; but for lodging the stranger here, and holding intercourse with 
him, I neither can nor will do so. I have retired to this farthest ex- 
tremity of the British isles to avoid new friends, and new faces, and 
none such shall intrude on me either their happiness or their misery. 
When you have known the world half a score of years longer, your 
early friends will have given you reason to remember them, and to 
avoid new ones for the rest of your life. Go then — why do you stop 1 — 
rid the country of the man — let me see no one about me but those 
vulgar countenances, the extent and character of whose petty knaverv 
I know, and can submit to, as to an evil too trifling to cause irritation. 
He then threw his purse to his son, and signed to him to depart with 
all speed. 

Mordaunt was not long before he reached the village. In the dark 
abode of Neil Ronaldson, the Ranzelman, he found the stranger seated 
by the peat-fire, upon the very chest which had excited the cupidity of 
the devout Bryce Snailsfoot, the pediar. The Ranzelman himself was 
absent, dividing, with all due impartiality, the spoils of the wrecked 
vessel amongst the natives of the community ; listening to and redress- 
ing their complaints of inequality ; and (if the matter in hand had not 
been, from beginning to end, utterly unjust and indefensible) discharg- 
ing the part of a wise and prudent magistrate in all the details. For 
at this time, and probably until a much, later period, the lower orders 
of the islanders entertained an opinion, common to barbarians also in 
the same situation, that whatever was cast on their shores became their 
indisputable property. 

Margery Bimbister, the worthy spouse of the Ranzelman, was in the 
charge of the house, and introduced Mordaunt to her guest, saying, 
with no great ceremony, " This is the young tacksman — You will maybe 
tell him your name, though you will not tell it to us. If it had not 
been for his four quarters, it's but little you would have said to ony 
body, sae lang as life lasted." 

The stranger arose and shook Mordaunt by the hand, observing, he 
understood that he had been the means of saving his life and his chest. 
" The rest of the property," he said, " is, I see, walking the plank ; for 
they are as busy as the devil in a gale of wind." 



64 THE PIRATE. 



ire been 



" And what was the use of your seamanship, then," said Marg 
" that you coudna keep off the Sumburgh-bead i It would have 
lang ere Sumburgh-head had come to you." 

"Leave us for a moment, good Margery Bimbister," said Mor- 
daunt ; "I wish to have some private conversation with this gentle- 
man." 

" Gentleman !" said Margery, with an emphasis ; not but the man 
is well enough to look at," she added, again surveying him, " but I 
doubt if there is muckle of the gentleman about him." 

Mordaunt looked at the stranger, and was of a different opinion. 
He was rather above the middle size, and formed handsomely as well 
as strongly. Mordaunt's intercourse with society was not extensive ; 
but he thought his new acquaintance, to a bold sunburnt handsome 
countenance, which seemed to have faced various climates, added the 
frank and open manners of a sailor. He answered cheerfully the in- 
quiries which Mordaunt made after his health ; and maintained that 
one night's rest would relieve him from all the effects of the disaster 
he had sustained. But he spoke with bitterness of the avarice and 
curiosity of the Ranzelman and his spouse. 

"That chattering old woman," said the stranger, " has persecuted 
me the whole day for the name of the ship. I think she miglit be con- 
tented with the share she has had of it. I was the principal owner of 
the vessel that was lost yonder, and they have left me nothing but my 
wearing apparel. Is there no magistrate, or justice of the peace, in 
this wild country, that would lend a hand to help one when he is among 
the breakers ?" 

Mordaunt mentioned Magnus Troil, the principal proprietor, as well 
as the Fowd, or provincial judge, of the district, as the person from 
whom he was most likely to obtain redress ; and regretted that his own 
youth, and his father's situation as a retired stranger, should put it out 
of their power to afford him the protection he required. 

" Nay, for your part, you have done enough," said the sailor ; " but 
if I had five out of the forty brave fellows that are fishes' food by this 
time, the devil a man would I ask to do me the rjght that I could do 
for myself !" 

" Forty hands !" said Mordaunt ; " you were well manned for the 
size of the ship." 

" Not so well as we needed to be. We mounted ten guns, besides 
chasers ; but our cruise on the main had thinned us of men, and lum- 
bered us up with goods. Six of our guns were in ballast — Hands ! if I 
had had enough of hands, Ave would never have miscarried so infernally. 
The people were knocked up with working the pumps, and so took to 
their boats, and left me Avith the vessel, to sink or SAvim. But the dogs 
had their pay, and I can afford to pardon them — The boats SAvamped 
in the current— all were lost — and here am I." 

"You had come north about then, from the West Indies?" said 
Mordaunt. 

"Ay, ay; the vessel Avas the Good Hope of Bristol, a letter of 
marque. She had fine luck down on the Spanish main, both Avith com- 
merce and privateering, but the luck's ended Avith her now. My name 
is Clement Cleveland, captain, and part-OAvner, as I said before— I am 



THE PIRATE. 65 

a Bristol man born — my father was well known on the Tollsell — old 
Clem Cleveland of the College-green." 

Mordaunt had no right to inquire farther, and yet it seemed to him 
as if his oavu mind was but half satisfied. There was an affectation of 
bluntness, a sort of defiance, in the manner of the stranger, for winch 
circumstances afforded no occasion. Captain Cleveland had suffered 
injustice from the islanders, but from Mordaunt he had only received 
kindness and protection ; yet he seemed as if he involved all the neigh- 
bourhood in the wrongs he complained of. Mordaunt looked down and 
was silent, doubting whether it would be better to take his leave, or to 
proceed farther in his offers of assistance. Cleveland seemed to guess 
at his thoughts, for he immediately added, in a conciliating manner, — 
" I am a plain man, Master Mertoun, for that I understand is your 
name ; and I am a ruined man to boot, and that does not mend one's 
good manners. But you have done a kind and friendly part by me, 
and it may be I think as much of it as if I thanked you more. And so 
before I leave this place, I'll give you my fowlingpiece ; she will put a 
hundred swan-shot through a Dutchman's cap at eighty paces — she 
will cany ball too — I have hit a wild bull within a hundred-and-fifty 
yards — but I have two pieces that are as good, or better, so you may 
keep this for my sake." 

" That would be to take my share of the wreck," answered Mordaunt, 
laughing. 

" No such matter,"* said Cleveland, undoing a case which contained 
several guns and pistols, — "you see I have saved my private arm- 
chest, as well as my clothes — that the tall old woman in the dark 
rigging managed for me. And, between ourselves, it is worth all I 
have lost; for," he added, lowering his voice, and looking round, 
" when I speak of being ruined in the hearing of these land-sharks, I 
do not mean ruined stock and block. No, here is something will do 
more than shoot sea-fowl." So saying, he pulled out a great ammuni- 
tion-pouch marked Swan-shot, and showed Mordaunt, hastily, that it 
was full of Spanish pistoles and Portagues (as the broad Portugal 

{)ieces were then called). " No, no," he added, with a smile, " I have bal- 
ast enough to trim the vessel again ; and now, will you take the piece !•'? 

" Since you are willing to give it me," said Mordaunt, laughing, 
" with all my heart. I was just going to ask you, in my father's 
name," he added, showing his purse, " whether you wanted any of 
that same ballast." 

" Thanks, but you see I am provided — take my old acquaintance, 
and may she serve you as well as she has served me: but you will 
never make so good a voyage with her. You can shoot, I suppose ?" 

" Tolerably well," said. Mordaunt, admiring the piece, which was a 
beautiful Spanish-barrel gun, inlaid with gold, small in the bore, and 
of unusual length, such as is chiefly used for shooting sea-fowl, and for 
ball-practice. 

"With slugs," continued the donor, "never gun shot closer; and 
with single ball, you may kill a seal two hundred yards at sea from the 
top of the highest peak of this iron-bound coast of yours. But I tell 
you again, that the old rattler will never do you tlie service she has 
done me." 



§6 THE PIRATE. 

" I shall not use her so dexterously, perhaps," said Mordaunt. 

" Umph ! — perhaps not," replied Cleveland ; " but that is not the 
question. What say you to shooting the man at the wheel, just as we 
ran aboard of a Spaniard ? So the Don was taken aback, and we laid 
him athwart the hawse, and carried her cutlass in hand ; and worth 
the while she was — stout brigantine — El Santo Francisco — bound for 
Porto Bello, with gold and negroes. That little bit of lead was worth 
twenty thousand pistoles." 

" I have shot at no such game as yet," said Mordaunt. 

" Well, all in good time ; we cannot weigh till the tide makes. But 
you are a tight, handsome, active young man. What is to ail you 
to take a trip after some of this stuff!" laying his hand on the bag 
of gold. 

" My father talks of my travelling soon," replied Mordaunt, who, 
born to hold men-of-war' s-men in great respect, felt flattered by this in- 
vitation from one who appeared a thorough-bred seaman. 

" I respect idm for the thought," said the Captain ; " and I will visit 
him before •! weigh anchor. I have a consort off these islands, and be 
cursed to her. She'll find me out somewhere, though she parted com- 
pany in the bit of a squall, unless she is gone to Davy Jones too. — 
Well, she was better found than we, and not so deep loaded — she must 
have weathered it. We'll have a hammock slung for you aboard, and 
make a sailor and a man of you in the same tri]3." 

" I should like it well enough," said Mordaunt, who eagerly longed 
to see more of the world than his lonely situation had hitherto per- 
mitted ; " but then my father must decide." 

" Your father ? pooh ! " said Captain Cleveland ; — " but you are very 
right," he added, checking himself; " Gad, I have lived so long at sea 
that I cannot think anybody has a right to think except the captain 
and the master. But you are very right. I will go up to the old gentle- 
man this instant, ana speak to him myself. He lives in that hand- 
some, modern-looking building, I suppose, that I see a quarter of a 
mile off/" 

" In that old half-ruined house," said Mordaunt, " he does indeed 
live ; but he will see no visitors." 

" Then you must drive the point yourself, for I can't stay in this lati- 
tude. Since your father is no magistrate, I must go to see this same 
Magnus — how call you him ? — who is not justice of peace, but some- 
thing else that will do the turn as well. These fellows have got two or 
three things that I must and will have back — let them keep the rest 
and be d— d to them. Will you give me a letter to him, just by way of 
commission?" 

" It is scarce needful," said Mordaunt. " It is enough that you are 
shipwrecked, and need his help ;— but yet I may as well furnish you 
with a letter of introduction." 

" There," said the sailor, producing a writing-case from his chest, 
" are your writing tools. — Meantime, since bulk has been broken, I 
will nail down the hatches, and make sure of the cargo." 

While Mordaunt, accordingly, was engaged in writing to Magnus 
Troil a letter, setting forth the circumstances in which Captain Cleve- 
land had been thrown upon their coast, the Captain, having first se- 



THE PIRATE. 67 

lected and laid aside some wearing apparel and necessaries enough to 
fill a knapsack, took in hand hammer and nails, employed himself in 
securing the lid of his sea-chest, by fastening it down in a workman- 
like manner, and then added the corroborating security of a cord, twisted 
and knotted with nautical dexterity. " I leave this in your charge," he 
said, "all except this," showing the bag of gold, "and these," pointing 
to a cutlass and pistols, " which may prevent all farther risk of my 
parting company with my Portagues.' 

" You will find no occasion for weapons in this country, Captain 
Cleveland," replied Mordaunt ; "a child might travel with a purse of 
gold from Sumburgh-head to the Scaw of Unst, and no soul would in- 
jure him." 

" And that's pretty boldly said, young gentleman, considering what 
is going on without doors at this moment." 

" Oh," replied Mordaunt, a little confused, " what comes on land 
with the tide they reckon their lawful property. One would think 
they had studied under Sir Arthegal, who pronounces — 

4 For equal right; in equal things doth stand, 

And what the mighty sea hath once possess'd, 
And plucked quite from all possessors' hands, 

Or else by wrecks that wretches have distress'd, 
He may dispose, by his resistless might, 

As things at random left, to whom he list.' " 

"I shall think the better of plays and ballads as long as I live for 
these very words," said Captain Cleveland; "and yet I have loved 
them well enough in my day. But this is good doctrine, and more men 
than one may trim their sails to such a breeze. What the sea sends is 
ours, that's sure enough. However, in case that your good folks should 
think the land as well as the sea may present them with waiffs and 
strays, I will make bold to take my cutlass and pistols. Will you cause 
my chest to be secured in your own house till you hear from me, and 
use your influence to procure me a guide to show me the way, and to 
carry my kit 1 " 

" Will you go by sea or land ?" said Mordaunt, in reply. 

" By sea ! " exclaimed Cleveland. " What — in one of these cockle- 
shells, and a cracked cockleshell, to boot ? No, no — land, land, unless 
I knew my crew, my vessel, and my voyage." 

They parted accordingly, Captain Cleveland being supplied with a 
guide to conduct him to Burgh- Westra, and his chest being carefully 
removed to the mansion-house at Jarlshof. 



CHAPTER IX. 

This is a gentle trader, and a prudent. 

He's no Autolycus, to blear your eye, 

With quips of worldly gauds and gamesomeness! 

But seasons all his glittering merchandise 

With wholesome doctrines suited to the use, 

As men sauce goose with sage and rosemary. 

Old Play. 

On the subsequent morning, Mordaunt, in answer to his father's in- 
quiries, began to give him some account of the shipwrecked mariner 



68 THE PIRATE. 

■whom he had rescued from the waves. But he had not proceeded far 
in recapitulating the particulars which Cleveland had communicated, 
when Mr Mertoun's looks became disturbed — he arose hastily, and, 
after pacing twice or thrice across the room, he retired into the inner 
chamber to which he usually confined himself, while under the influence 
of his mental malady. In the evening he re-appeared, without any 
traces of his disorder ; but it may be easily supposed that his son avoided 
recurring to the subject which had affected him. 

Mordaunt Mertoun was thus left without assistance, to form at his 
leisure his own opinion respecting the new acquaintance which the sea 
had sent him ; and, upon the whole, he was himself surprised to find 
the result less favourable to the stranger than he could well account 
for. There seemed to Mordaunt to be a sort of repelling influence about 
the man. True, he was a handsome man, of a frank and prepossessing 
manner, but there was an assumption of superiority about him which 
Mordaunt did not quite so much like. Although he was so keen a 
sportsman as to be delighted with his acquisition of the Spanish-bar- 
relled gun, and accordingly mounted and dismounted it with great in- 
terest, paying the utmost attention to the most minute parts about the 
lock and ornaments, yet he was upon the whole inclined to have some 
scruples about the mode in which he had acquired it. 

"I should not have accepted it," he thought ; "perhaps Captain 
Cleveland might give it me as a sort of payment for the trifling service 
I did him ; and yet it would have been churlish to refuse it in the way 
it was offered. I wish he had looked more like a man whom one would 
have chosen to be obliged to." • 

But a successful day's shooting reconciled him to his gun, and he 
became assured, like most young sportsmen in similar circumstances, 
that all other pieces were but pop-guns in comparison. But then, to 
be doomed to shoot gulls and seals, when there were Frenchmen and 
Spaniards to be come at — when there were ships to be boarded, and 
steersmen to be marked off, seemed but a dull and contemptible destiny. 
His father had mentioned his leaving these islands, and no other mode 
of occupation occurred to his inexperience save that of the sea, with 
which he had been conversant from his infancy. His ambition had for- 
merly aimed no higher than at sharing the fatigues and dangers of a 
Greenland fishing expedition ; for it was m that scene that the Zet- 
landers laid most of their perilous adventures. But war was again 
raging, the history of Sir Francis Drake, Captain Morgan, and other 
bold adventurers, an account of whose exploits he had purchased from 
Bryce Snailsfoot, had made much impression on his mind, and the offer 
of Captain Cleveland to take him to sea frequently recurred to him, 
although the pleasure of such a project was somewhat damped by a 
doubt, whether, in the long run, he should not find many objections to 
his proposed commander. Thus much he already saw, that he was 
opimonative, and might probably prove arbitrary ; and that, since even 
kindness was mingled with an assumption of superiority, his occasional 
displeasure might contain a great deal more of that disagreeable ingre- 
dient than could be palatable to those who sailed under him. And yet, 
after counting all risks, could his father's consent but be obtained, with 
what pleasure, he thought, would he embark in quest of new scenes and 



THE PIRATE. 69 

strange adventures, in winch he proposed to himself to achieve such 
deeds as should be the theme of many a tale to the lovely sisters of 
Burgh-Westra — tales at which Minna should weep and Brenda should 
smile, and both should marvel ! And this was to be the reward of his 
labours and his dangers ; for the hearth of Magnus Troil had a mag- 
netic influence over his thoughts, and however they might traverse amid 
his day-dreams, it was the point where they finally settled. 

There were times when Mordaunt thought of mentioning to his fa- 
ther the conversation he had held with Captain Cleveland, and the 
seaman's proposal to him; but the very short and general account which 
he had given of that person's history, upon the morning after his de- 
parture from the hamlet, had produced a sinister effect on Mr Mertoun's 
mind, and discouraged him from speaking farther on any subject con- 
nected with it. It would be time enough, he thought, to mention 
Captain Cleveland's proposal when his consort should arrive, and when 
he should repeat his offer in a more formal manner ; and these he sup- 
posed events likely very soon to happen. 

But days grew to weeks, and weeks were numbered into months, and 
he heard nothing from Cleveland ; and only learned by an occasional 
visit from Bryce Snailsfoot, that the Captain was residing at Burgh- 
Westra as one of the family. Mordaunt was somewhat surprised at 
this, although the unlimited hospitality of the islands, which Magnus 
Troil, both from fortune and disposition, carried to the utmost extent, 
made it almost a matter of course that he should remain in the family 
until he disposed of himself otherwise. Still it seemed strange he had 
not gone to some of the northern isles to inquire after his consort ; or 
that he did not rather choose to make Lerwick his residence, where 
fishing vessels often brought news from the coasts and ports of Scotland 
and Holland. Again, why did he not send for the chest he had de- 
posited at Jarlshof ? and still farther, Mordaunt thought it would have 
been but polite if the stranger had sent him some sort of message in 
token of remembrance. 

These subjects of reflection were connected with another still more 
unpleasant, and more difficult to account for. Until the arrival of this 
person scarce a week had passed without bringing him some kind greet- 
ing, or token of recollection, from Burgh-Westra ; and pretences were 
scarce ever wanting for maintaining a constant intercourse. Minna 
wanted the words of a Norse ballad ; or desired to have, for her various 
collections, feathers, or eggs, or shells, or specimens of the rarer sea- 
weeds ; or Brenda sent a riddle to be resolved, or a song to be learned ; 
or the honest old Udaller, — in a rude manuscript, which might have 
passed for an ancient Runic inscription, — sent his hearty greetings to 
his good young friend, with a present of something to maKe good cheer, 
and an earnest request he would come to Burgh-Westra as soon, and 
stay there as long as possible. These kindly tokens of remembrance 
were often sent by special message ; besides which, there was never a 
passenger or a traveller who crossed from the one mansion to the other 
who did not bring to Mordaunt some friendly greeting from the Udaller 
and his family. Of late this intercourse had become more and more in- 
frequent ; and no messenger from Burgh-Westra had visited Jarlshof 
for several weeks. Mordaunt both observed and felt this alteration, 



70 THE PIRATE. 

and it dwelt on his mind, while he questioned Bryce as closely as pride 
and prudence would permit, to ascertain, if possible, the cause of the 
change. Yet he endeavoured to assume an indifferent air while he 
asked the j agger whether there were no news in the country. 

" Great news," the j agger replied ; " and a gay mony of them. That 
crackb.rained carle, the new factor, is for making a change in the bismars 
and the lispunds; 1 and our worthy Fowd, Magnus Troil, has sworn 
that, sooner than change them for the still-yard, or aught else, he'll 
fling Factor Yellowley from Brassa-craig." 

" Is that all '!" said Mordaunt, very little interested. 

" All ? and eneugh, I think," replied the pedlar. " How are folks 
to buy and sell, if the weights are changed on them ?" 

" V ery true, replied Mordaunt ; " but have you heard of no strange 
vessels on the coast ?" 

" Six Dutch doggers off Brassa ; and, as I hear, a high-quartered 
galliot thing, with a gaff mainsail, lying in Scalloway Bay. She will 
be from Norway." 

" No ships of war, or sloops V' 

"None," replied the pedlar, " since the Kite Tender sailed with the 
impress men. If it was His will, and our men were out of her, I wish 
the deep sea had her !" 

"Were there no news at Burgh- Westra 1 — Were the family all 
well !" 

" A' weel, and weel to do — out-taken, it may be, something ower 
muckle damng and laughing — dancing ilk night, they say, wi' the 
stranger captain that's living there — him that was ashore on Sumburgh- 
head the tother day, — less aafhng served him then." 

" Daffing ! dancing every night !" said Mordaunt, not particularly 
well satisfied — " Whom does Captain Cleveland dance with !" 

" Ony body he likes, I fancy," said the jagger ; " at ony rate, be 
gars a' body yonder dance after his fiddle. But I ken little about it, 
for I am no free in conscience to look upon thae Hinging fancies. Folk 
should mind that life is made but of rotten yarn." 

" I fancy that it is to keep them in mind of that wholesome truth 
that you deal in such tender wares, Bryce ?" replied Mordaunt, dissatis- 
fied as well with the tenor of the reply, as with the affected scruples of 
the respondent. 

" That's as muckle as to say, that I suld hae minded you was a 
flinger and a fiddler yoursell, Maister Mordaunt ; but I am an auld 
man, and maun unburden my conscience. But ye will be for the dance, 
I sail warrant, that's to be at Burgh- Westra, on John's Even (Saunt 
John's, as the blinded creatures ca' him), and nae doubt ye will be for 
some warldly braws— hose, waistcoats, or sic like 1 I hae pieces frae 
Flanders"— With that he placed his moveable warehouse on the table, 
and began to unlock it. 

" Dance !" repeated Mordaunt^-" Dance on St John's Even 1 Were 
you desired to bid me to it, Bryce ?" 

" Na— but ye ken weel eneugh ye wad be welcome, bidden or no 
bidden. This captain— how-ca'-ye-him— is to be skudler, as they ca't 
—the first of the gang, like." 

1 These are weights of Norwegian origin, still used in Zetland. 



THE PIRATE. 71 

" The devil take him !" said Mordaunt, in impatient surprise. 

"A' in gude time," replied the j agger; "hurry no man's cattle — 
the devil will hae his due, I warrant ye, or it winna be for lack of seek- 
ing. But it's true I'm telling you, for a' ye stare like a wild-cat ; and 
this same Captain — I-wat-na-his-naine — bought ane of the very waist- 
coats that I am ganging to show ye— purple, wi' a gowd binding, and 
bonnily broidered ; and I have a piece for you, the neighbour of it, wi' 
a green grand ; and if ye mean to streek yoursell up beside him, ye 
maun e'en buy it, for it's gowd that glances in the lasses' een now-a- 
days. See — look till't," he added, displaying the pattern in various 
points of view ; " look till it through the light, and till the light through 
it — w€ the grain, and against the grain — it shows ony gate — cam frae 
Antwerp a' the gate — four dollars is the price ; and yon captain was 
sae weel pleased that he flang down a twenty shilling Jacobus, and 
bade me keep the change and be d — d ! — poor silly profane creature, I 
pity him." 

Without inquiring whether the pedlar bestowed his compassion on 
the worldly imprudence or the religious deficiencies of Captain Cleve- 
land, Mordaunt turned from him, folded his arms, and paced the apart- 
ment, muttering to lumself, " Not asked — A stranger to be king of the 
feast !" — Words which he repeated so earnestly, that Bryce caught a 
part of their import. 

" As for asking, I am almaist bauld to say that ye will be asked, 
Maister Mordaunt." 

" Did they mention my name, then V said Mordaunt. 

" I canna preceesely say that," said Bryce Snailsfoot ; " but ye needna 
turn away your head sae sourly, like a sealgh when he leaves the shore ; 
for, do you see, I heard distinctly that a' the revellers about are to be 
there ; and is't to be thought they would leave out you, an auld kend 
freend, and the lightest foot at sic frolics (Heaven send you a better 
praise in His ain gude time !) that ever flang at a fiddle-squeak, between 
this and Unst V Sae I consider ye altogether the same as invited — and 
ye had best provide yourself wi' a waistcoat, for brave and brisk will 
every man be that's there — the Lord pity them !" 

He thus continued to follow with his green glazen eyes the motions 
of young Mordaunt Mertoun, who was pacing the room in a very pen- 
sive manner, which the j agger probably misinterpreted, as he thought, 
like Claudio, that if a man is sad, it must needs be because he lacks 
money. Bryce, therefore, after another pause, thus accosted him. 
"Ye needna be sad about the matter, Maister Mordaunt; for al- 
though I got the just price of the article from the captain-man, yet I 
maun deal freendly wi' you, as a kend freend and customer, and bring 
the price, as they say, within your purse-mouth — or it's trie same to 
me to let it lie ower till Martinmas, or e'en to Candlemas. I am de- 
cent in the warld, Maister Mordaunt — forbid that I should hurry 
ony body, far mair a freend that has paid me siller afore now. Or 1 
wad be content to swap the garment for the value in feathers or sea- 
otters' skins, or ony kind of peltrie — nane kens better than yoursell 
how to come by sic ware — and I am sure I hae furnished you wi ; the 
primest o' powder. I dinna ken if I tell'd ye it was out o' the kist of 
Captain Plunket, that perished on the Scaw of Unst, wi' the armed 



72 THE PIRATE. 

brig Mary, sax years syne." He was a prime fowler himself, and luck 
it was that the kist came ashore dry. I sell that to nane but gude 
marksmen. And so, I was saying, if ye had ony wares ye liked to 
coup 1 for the waistcoat, I wad be ready to trock wi' you, for assuredly 
ye will be wanted at Burgh-Westra on Saint John's Even ; and ye 
wadna like to look waur than the Captain — that wadna be setting." 

" I will be there, at least, whether wanted or not," said Mordaunt, 
stopping short in his walk, and taking the waistcoat-piece hastily out 
of the pedlar's hand ; " and, as you say, will not disgrace them." 

"Haud a care — haud a care, Maister Mordaunt," exclaimed the 
pedlar ; " ye handle it as it were a bale of coarse wadmaal — ye'll 
fray't to bits — ye might weel say my ware is tender — and ye'll mind 
the price is four dollars. Sail I put ye in my book for it ?" 

" No," said Mordaunt, hastily ; and, taking out his purse, he flung 
down the money. 

" Grace to ye to wear the garment," said the joyous pedlar, "and to 
me to guide the siller ; and protect us from earthly vanities and earthly 
coyetousness ; and send you the white linen raiment, whilk is mair to 
be desired than the muslins, and cambrics, and lawns, and silks of this 
world ; and send me the talents which avail more than much fine 
Spanish gold, or Dutch dollars either — and — but God guide the callant, 
what for is he wrapping the silk up that gate, like a wisp of hay ?" 

At this moment, old Swertha, the housekeeper, entered, to whom, 
as if eager to get rid of the subject, Mordaunt threw his purchase, with 
something like careless disdain; and telling her to put it aside, snatched 
his gun ; which stood in the corner, threw his shooting accoutrements 
about him, and, without noticing Bryce's attempt to enter into conver- 
sation upon the " braw seal-skin, as saft as doe-leather," which made 
the sling and cover of his fowlingpiece, he left the apartment abruptly. 

The j agger, with those green, goggling, and gain-descrying kind of 
optics, which we have already described, continued gazing for an instant 
after the customer who treated his wares with such irreverence. 

Swertha also looked after him with some surprise. " The callant's 
in a creel," quoth she. 

"In a creel!" echoed the pedlar; "he will be as wowf as ever his 
father was. To guide in that gate a bargain that cost him four dollars ! 
— very, very Fifish, as the east-country fisher-folk say." 

" ]?our dollars for that green rag !" said Swertha, catching at the 
words which the j agger had unwarily suffered to escape — " that was a 
bargain indeed ! I wonder whether he is the greater fule, or you the 
mair rogue, Bryce Snailsfoot." 

" I didna say it cost him preceesely four dollars," said Snailsfoot ; 
" but if it had, the lad's sillers his ain, I hope ; and he is auld eneugh 
to make his ain bargain. Mair by token, the gudes are weel worth the 
money, and mair." 

" Mair by token," said Swertha, coolly, " I will see what his father 
thinks about it." 

"Ye'll no be sae ill-natured. Mistress Swertha," said the jagger; 
"that will be but cauld thanks for the bonny owerlay that I hae 
brought you a' the way frae Lerwick." 
» Barter. 



THE PIRATE. 7§ 

( And a bonny price ye'll be setting on't," said Swertha ; "for that's 
the gate your good deeds end." 

"Ye sail hae the fixing of the price yoursell ; or it may lie ower till 
ye're buying something for the house, or for your master, and it can 
make a ae count." 

" Troth and that's true, Bryce Snailsfoot ; I am thinking we'll want 
some napery sune — for it's no to be thought we can spin, and the like, 
as if there was a mistress in the house ; and sae we make nane at hanie." 

" And that's what I ca' walking by the word," said the jagger. " ' Go 
imto those that buy and sell ;' there's muckle profit in that text." 

"There is a pleasure in dealing wi' a discreet man, that can make 
profit of onything," said Swertha ; " and now that I take another look 
at that daft callant's waistcoat-piece, I think it is honestly worth four 
dollars." 



CHAPTER X. 

I have possessed the regulation of the weather and the distribution of the seasons. 
The sun has listened to my dictates, and passed from tropic to tropic by my direc- 
tion; the clouds, at my command, have poured forth their waters. 

ItASSELAS. 

Any sudden cause for anxious and mortifying reflection, which', in 
advanced age, occasions sullen and pensive inactivity, stimulates youth 
to eager and active exertion ; as if, like the hurt deer, they endeavoured 
to drown the pain of the shaft by the rapidity of motion. When 
Mordaunt caught up his gun, and rushed out of the house at Jarlshof, 
he walked on with great activity over waste and wild, without any 
determined purpose, except that of escaping, if possible, from the smart 
of his own irritation. His pride was effectually mortified by the report 
of the jagger, which coincided exactly with some doubts he had been 
led to entertain by the long and unkind silence of his friends at Burgh- 
Westra. 

If the fortunes of Csesar had doomed him, as the poet suggests, to 
have been 

" But the best wrestler on the green," 

it is nevertheless to be presumed, that a foil from a rival, in that rustic 
exercise, would have mortified him as much as a defeat from a competitor, 
when he was struggling for the ernpery of the world. And even so 
Mordaunt Mertoun, degraded in his own eyes from the height which 
he had occupied as the chief amongst the youth of the island, felt vexed 
and irritated, as well as humbled. The two beautiful sisters, also, 
whose smiles all were so desirous of acquiring, with whom he had lived 
on terms of such familiar affection, that, with the same ease and inno- 
cence, there was unconsciously mixed a shade of deeper though unde- 
fined tenderness that characterizes fraternal love, — thev also seemed to 
have forgotten him. He could not be ignorant that, in the universal 
opinion of all Dunrossness, nay, of the whole Mainland, he might have 



74 THE PIRATE. 

had every chance of being the favoured lover of either ; and now at 
once, and without any failure on his part, he was become so little to 
them, that he had lost even the consequence of an ordinary acquaintance. 
The old Udaller, too, whose hearty and sincere character should have 
made him more constant in his friendships, seemed to have been as 
fickle as his daughters, and poor Mordaunt had at once lost the smiles 
of the fair and the favour of the powerful. These were uncomfortable 
reflections, and he doubled his pace that he might unstrip them if 
possible. 

Without exactly reflecting upon the route which he pursued, Mor- 
daunt walked briskly on through a country where neither hedge, wall, 
nor enclosure of any kind interrupts the steps of the wanderer, until 
he reached a very solitary spot, where, embosomed among steep heathy 
hills, which sunk suddenly down on the verge of the water, lay one of 
those small fresh- water lakes which are common in the Zetland Isles, 
whose outlets form the sources of the small brooks and rivulets by which 
the country is watered, and serve to drive the little mills which manu- 
facture their grain. 

It was a mild summer day ; the beams of the sun, as is not uncom- 
mon in Zetland, were moderated and shaded by a silvery haze, which 
filled the atmosphere, and, destroying the strong contrast of light and 
shade, gave even to noon the sober livery of the evening twilight. The 
little lake, not three-quarters of a mile in circuit, lay in profound quiet ; 
its surface undimpled, save when one of the numerous waterfowl which 
glided on its surface dived for an instant under it. The depth of the 
water gave the whole that cerulean tint of bluish green, which occa- 
sioned its being called the Green Loch ; and at present, it formed so 
perfect a mirror to the bleak hills by which it was surrounded, and 
which lay reflected in its bosom, that it was difficult to distinguish the 
water from the land ; nay, in the shadowy micertainty occasioned by 
the thin haze, a stranger could scarce have been sensible that a sheet 
of water lay before him. A scene of more complete solitude, having 
all its peculiarities heightened by the extreme serenity of the weather, 
the quiet gray composed tone of the atmosphere, and the perfect silence 
of the elements, could hardly be imagined. The very aquatic birds, 
who frequented the spot in great numbers, forbore their usual flight 
and screams, and floated in profound tranquillity upon the silent 
water. 

Without taking any determined aim — without having any determined 
purpose— without almost thinking what he was about, Mordaunt pre- 
sented his fowlingpiece, and fired across the lake. The large swan-shot 
dimpled its surface like a partial shower of hail — the hills took up the 
noise of the report, and repeated it again, and again, and again, to all 
their echoes ; the water-fowl took to wing in eddying and confused 
wheel, answering the echoes with a thousand varying screams, from the 
deep note of the swabie, or swartback, to the querulous cry of the 
tirracke and kittiewake. 

Mordaunt looked for a moment on the clamourous crowd with a feel- 
ing of resentment, which lie felt disposed at the moment to apply to all 
nature, and all her objects, animate or inanimate, however little con- 
cerned with the cause of his internal mortification. 



1'HE PIRATE. 75 

"Ay, ay," he said, "wheel, dive, scream, and clamour as you will, 
and all because you have seen a strange sight and heard an unusual 
sound. There is many one like you in this round world. But you, at 
least, shall learn," he added, as he reloaded his gun, " that strange 
sights and strange sounds, ay, and strange acquaintances to boot, have 
sometimes a little shade of danger connected with them. — But why 
should I wreak my own vexation on these harmless sea-gulls?" he sub- 
joined, after a moment's pause; "they have nothing to do with the 
friends that have forgotten me. — I loved them all so well, — and to be 
so soon given up for the first stranger whom chance threw on the 
coast !" 

As he stood resting upon his gun, and abandoning his mind to the 
course of these unpleasant reflections, his meditations were unexpectedly 
interrupted by some one touching his shoulder. He looked around, 
and saw Noma of the Fitful-head, wrapped in her dark and ample 
mantle. She had seen him from the brow of the hill, and had descended 
to the lake, through a small ravine which concealed her, until she 
came with noiseless step so close to him that he turned round at her 
touch. 

Mordaunt Mertoun was by nature neither timorous nor credulous, 
and a course of reading more extensive than usual had, in some degree, 
fortified his mind against the attacks of superstition ; but he would 
have been an actual prodigy if, living in Zetland in the end of the 
seventeenth century, he had possessed the philosophy which did not 
exist in Scotland generally until- at least two generations later. He 
doubted in his own mind the extent, nay, the very existence, of Noma's 
supernatural attributes, which was a high flight of incredulity in the 
country where they were universally received ; but still his incredulity 
went no farther than doubts. She was unquestionably an extraordinary 
woman, gifted with an energy above others, acting upon motives 
peculiar to herself, and apparently independent of mere earthly con- 
siderations. Impressed with these ideas, which he had imbibed from 
his youth, it was not without something like alarm that he beheld this 
mysterious female standing on a sudden so close beside him, and look- 
ing upon him with such sad and severe eyes, as those with which the 
Fatal Virgins, who, according to northern mythology, were called the 
Valkyriur, or " Choosers of the Slain," were supposed to regard the 
young champions whom they selected to share the banquet of Odin. 

It was, indeed, reckoned unlucky, to say the least, to meet with 
Noma suddenly alone, and in a place remote from witnesses ; and she 
was supposed, on such occasions, to have been usually a prophetess of 
evil, as well as an omen of misfortune, to those who had such a ren- 
contre. There were few or none of the islanders, however familiarized 
with her occasional appearance in society, that would not have trembled 
to meet her on the solitary banks of the Green Loch. 

"I bring you no evil, Mordaunt Mertoun," she said, reading perhaps 
something of this superstitious feeling in the looks of the young man. 
" Evil from me you never felt, and never will." 

" Nor do I fear any," said Mordaunt, exerting himself to throw 
aside an apprehension which he felt to be unmanly. " Why should I, 
mother ? You have been ever my friend." 



76 THE PIRATE. 

" Yet, Mordaunt, thou art not of our region ; but to none of Zetland 
blood, no, not even to those who sit around the hearth-stone of Magnus 
Troil, the noble descendants of the ancient Jarls of Orkney, am I more 
a well-wisher than I am to thee, thou kind and brave-hearted boy. 
When I hung around thy neck that gifted chain, which all in our isles 
know was wrought by no earthly artist, but by the Drows 1 in the secret 
recesses of their caverns, thou wert then but fifteen years old ; yet thy 
foot had been on the Maiden-skerrie of Northniaven, known before but 
to the webbed sole of the swartback, and thy skiff had been in the 
deepest cavern of Brinnastir, where the haaf-fish 2 had before slumbered 
in dark obscurity. Therefore I gave thee that noble gift ; and well thou 
knowest, that since that day, every eye in these isles has looked on thee 
as a son, or as a brother, endowed beyond other youths, and the favoured 
of those whose hour of power is when the night meets with the day." 

" Alas ! mother," said Mordaunt, " your kind gift may have given 
me favour, but it has not been able to keep it for me, or I have not 
been able to keep it for myself. — "What matters it '/ I shall learn to 
set as little by others as they do by me. My father says that I shall 
soon leave these islands, and therefore, Mother Noma, I will return k> 
you your fairy gift, that it may bring more lasting luck to some other 
than it has done to me." 

" Despise not the gift of the nameless race," said Noma, frowning ; 
then suddenly changing her tone of displeasure to that of mournful 
solemnity, she added, — " Despise them not, but, Mordaunt, court 
them not ! Sit down on that gray stone — thou art the son of my adop- 
tion, and I will doff, as far as I may, those attributes that sever me 
from the common mass of humanity, and speak with you as a parent 
with a child. 

There was a tremulous tone of grief which mingled with the loftiness 
of her language and carriage, and was calculated to excite sympathy, 
as well as to attract attention. Mordaunt sat down on the rock which 
she pointed out, a fragment which, with many others that lay scattered 
around, had been torn by some winter storm from the precipice at the 
foot of which it lay, upon the very verge of the water. Noma took her 
own seat on a stone at about three feet distance, adjusted her mantle 
so that little more than her forehead, her eyes, and a single lock of her 
gray hair were seen from beneath the shade of her dark wadmaal cloak, 
and then proceeded in a tone in which the imaginary consequence and 
importance so often assumed by lunacy seemed to contend against the 
deep workings of some extraordinary and deeply-rooted mental affliction. 

" I was not always," she said, " that which I now am. I was not 
always the wise, the powerful, the commanding, before Avhom the young 
stand abashed, and the old uncover their gray heads. There was a time 
when my appearance did not silence mirth, when I sympathized with 
human passion, and had my own share in human joy or sorrow. It 
was a time of belplessness — it was a time of folly— it was a time of idle 
and unfruitful laughter — it was a time of causeless and senseless tears ; 
— and yet, with its follies, and its sorrows, and its weaknesses, what 

1 See Note K. The Drows. 

2 The larger seal, or sea-calf, which seeks the moat solitary recesses for its abode. 
See Dr Edmonston's Zetland, vol. ii., p. 294 



THE PIRATE. 77 

would Noma of Fitful-head give to be again the unmarked and happy 
maiden that she was in her early days ! Hear me, Mordaunt, and hear 
with me ; for you hear me utter complaints which have never sounded 
in mortal ears, and which in mortal ears shall never sound again. I 
will be what I ought," she continued, starting up and extending her 
lean and withered arm, " the queen and protectress of these wild and 
neglected isles, — I will be her whose foot the wave wets not, save by 
her permission ; ay, even though its rage be at its wildest madness — 
whose robe the whirlwind respects, when it rends the house-rigging from 
the roof-tree. Bear me witness, Mordaunt Mertoun, — you heard my 
words at Harfra — you saw the tempest sink before them — Speak, bear 
me witness ! " 

To have contradicted her in this strain of high-toned enthusiasm 
would have been cruel and unavailing, even had Mordaunt been more 
decidedly convinced than he was, that an insane woman, not one of super- 
natural power, stood before him. 

" I heard you sing," he replied, " and I saw the tempest abate." 

" Abate !" exclaimed Noma, striking the ground impatiently with 
her staff of black oak ; " thou speakest it but half— it sunk at once — 
sunk in shorter space than the child that is hushed to silence by the 
nurse. — Enough, you know my power — but you know not — mortal man 
knows not, and never shall know, the price which I paid to attain it. 
No, Mordaunt, never for the widest sway that the ancient Norsemen 
boasted, when their banners waved victorious from Bergen to Palestine 
— never, for all that the round world contains, do thou barter, thy peace 
of mind for such greatness as Noma's." She resumed her seat upon the 
rock, drew the mantle over her face, rested her head upon her hands, 
and by the convulsive motion which agitated her bosom appeared to be 
weeping bitterly. 

" Good Noma," said Mordaunt, and paused, scarce knowing what to 
say that might console the unhappy woman — " Good Noma," he again 
resumed, " if there be aught in your mind that troubles it, were you 
not best to go to the worthy minister at Dunrossness ? Men say you 
have not for many years been in a Christian congregation — that cannot 
be well, or right. You are yourself well known as a healer of bodily 
disease ; but when the mind is sick, we should draw to the Physician of 
our souls." 

Noma had raised her person slowly from the stooping posture in 
which she sat ; but at length she started up on her feet, threw back her 
mantle, extended her arm, and while her lip foamed, and her eye 
sparkled, exclaimed in a tone resembling a scream, — " Me did you 
speak — me did you bid seek out a priest ! — Would you kill the good man 
with horror 1 — Me in a Christian congregation ! — Would you have the 
roof to fall on the sackless assembly, and mingle their blood with their 
worship ? I — I seek to the good Physician ! — Would you have the fiend 
claim his prey openly before God and man?" 

The extreme agitation of the unhappy speaker naturally led Mor- 
daunt to the conclusion, which was generally adopted and accredited in 
that superstitious country and period. "Wretched woman," he said, 
" if indeed thou has leagued thyself with the Powers of Evil, why should 
you not seek even yet for repentance ? But do as thou wilt, I cannot, 



78 THE PIRATE. 

dare not, as a Christian, abide longer with you ; and take again your 
gift," he said, offering back the chain, " good can never come of it, if 
indeed evil hath not come already." 

" Be still and hear me, thou foolish boy," said Noma, calmly, as if 
she had been restored to reason by the alarm and horror which she per- 
ceived in Mordaunt's countenance ; " hear me, I say. I am not of 
those who have leagued themselves with the Enemy of Mankind, or de- 
rive skill or power from his ministry. And although the unearthly 
powers were propitiated by a sacrifice which human tongue can never 
utter, yet, God knows, my guilt in that offering was no more than that 
of the blind man who falls from the precipice which he could neither see 
nor shun. Oh, leave me not — shun me not — in this hour of weakness ! 
Remain with me till the temptation be passed, or I will plunge myself 
into that lake, and rid myself at once of my power and my wretchedness. 

Mordaunt, who had always looked up to this singular woman with a 
sort of affection, occasioned no doubt by the early kindness and distinc- 
tion which she had shown to him, was readily induced to resume his 
seat, and listen to what she had farther to say, in hopes that she would 
gradually overcome the violence of her agitation. It was not long ere 
she seemed to have gained the victory her companion expected, for she 
addressed him in her usual steady and authoritative manner. 

" It was not of myself, Mordaunt, that I purposed to speak, when I 
beheld you from the summit of yonder gray rock, and came down the 
path to meet with you. My fortunes are fixed beyond change, be it for 
weal or for wo. For myself I have ceased to feel much ; but for those 
whom she loves, Noma of the Fitful-head has still those feelings which 
link her to her kind. Mark me. There is an eagle, the noblest that 
builds in these airy precipices, and into that eagle's nest there has crept 
an adder — wilt thou lend thy aid to crush the reptile, and to save the 
noble brood of the lord of the north sky VI 

" You must speak more plainly, Noma," said Mordaunt, " if you 
would have me understand or answer you. I am no guesser of riddles." 

" In plain language, then, you know well the family of Burgh- 
Westra — the lovely daughters of the generous old Udaller, Magnus 
Troil, — Minna and Brenda, I mean ? You know them, and you love 
them." 

" I have known them, mother," replied Mordaunt, " and I have 
loved them — none knows it better than yourself." 

"To know them once," said Noma, emphatically, "is to know them 
always. To love them once, is to love them for ever." 

" To have loved them once, is to wish them well for ever " replied 
the youth ; " but it is nothing more. To be plain with you, Noma, the 
family at Burgh-Westra have of late totally; neglected me. But show 
me the means of serving them, I will convince you how much I have 
remembered old kindness, how little I resent late coldness." 

" It is well spoken, and I will put your purpose to the proof," replied 
Noma. " Magnus Troil has taken a serpent into his bosom— his lovely 
daughters are delivered up to the machinations of a villain." 

" You mean the stranger, Cleveland ?" said Mordaunt. 

"The stranger who so calls himself," replied Noma — "the same 
. whom we found flung ashore, like a waste heap of sea-weed, at the foot 



THE PIRATE. 79 

of the Sumburgh-cape. I felt that within me that would have prompted 
me to let him lie till the tide floated him off, as it had floated him on 
shore. I repent me I gave not way to it." 

" But," said Mordaunt, " I cannot repent that I did my duty as 
a Christian man. And what right have I to wish otherwise ? If 
Minna, Brenda, Magnus, and the rest like that stranger better than 
me, I have no title to be offended ; nay, I might well be laughed at for 
bringing myself into comparison." 

" It is well, and I trust they merit thy unselfish friendship." 

" But I cannot perceive," said Mordaunt, " in what you can propose 
that I should serve them. I have but just learned by Bryce the j agger 
that this Captain Cleveland is all in all with the ladies at Burgh- 
Westra, and with the Udaller himself. I would like ill to intrude my- 
self where I am not welcome, or to place my home-bred merit in com- 
parison with Captain Cleveland's. He can tell them of battles, when I 
can only speak of birds' nests — can speak of shooting Frenchmen, when 
I can only tell of shooting seals — he wears gay clothes, and bears a 
brave countenance ; I am plainly dressed and plainly nurtured. Such 
gay gallants as he can noose the hearts of those he lives with, as the 
fowler nooses the guillemot with his rod and line." 
. " You do wrong to yourself," replied Noma, "wrong to yourself, and 
greater wrong to Minna and Brenda. And trust not the reports of 
Bryce — he is like the greedy chaffer- whale, that will change his course 
and dive for the most petty coin which a fisher can cast at him. Cer- 
tain it is, that if you have been lessened in the opinion of Magnus Troil, 
that sordid fellow hath had some share in it. But let him count his 
vantage, for my eye is upon him." 

" And why, mother," said Mordaunt, " do you not tell to Magnus 
what you have told to me ?" 

" Because," replied Noma, " they who wax wise in their own conceit 
must be taught a bitter lesson by experience. It was but yesterday 
that I spoke with Magnus, and what was his reply ? — ' Good Noma, 
you grow old.' And this was spoken by one bounden to me by so many 
and such close ties — by the descendant of the ancient Norse earls— this 
was from Magnus Troil to me ; and it was said in behalf of one whom 
the sea flung forth as wreck- weed ! Since he despises the counsel of 
the aged, he shall be taught by that of the young ; and well that he is 
not left to his own folly. Go, therefore, to Burgh-Westra, as usual upon 
the Baptist's festival. 

" I have had no invitation," said Mordaunt ; " I am not wanted, not 
wished for, not thought of— perhaps I shall not be acknowledged if I 
go thither ; and yet, mother, to confess the truth, thither I had thought 
to go." 

" It was a good thought, and to be cherished," replied Noma ; " we 
seek our friends when they are sick in health, why not when they are 
eick in mind, and surfeited with prosperity I Do not fail to go — it may- 
be we shall meet there. Meanwhile our roads lie different. Farewell, 
and speak not of this meeting." 

They parted, and Mordaunt remained standing by the lake, with his 
eves fixed on Noma, until her tall dark form became invisible among 
the windings of the valley down which she wandered, and Mordaunt 



80 THE PIRATE. 

returned to his father's mansion, determined to follow counsel whic 
coincided so well with his own wishes. 



CHAPTER XL 

All your ancient customs, 

And long-descended usages, I'll change. 
Ye shall not eat, nor drink, nor speak, nor move, 
Think, look, or walk, as ye were wont to do. 
Even your marriage-beds shall know mutation ; 
The bride shall have the stock, the groom the wall; 
For all old practice will I turn and change, 
And call it reformation — marry, will I ! 

' Tis Even that we're, at Odds. 

The festal day approached ; and still no invitation arrived for that 
guest ; without whom, but a little space since, no feast could have been 
held in the island ; while, on the other hand, such reports as reached 
them on every side spoke highly of the favour which Captain Cleveland 
enjoyed in the family of the old Udaller of Burgh-Westra. Swertha 
and the old Ranzelman shook . their heads at these mutations, and re- 
minded Mordaunt, by many a half-hint and innuendo, that he had 
incurred this eclipse by being so imprudently active to secure the safety 
of the stranger, when he lay at the mercy of the next wave beneath the 
cliffs of Siunburgh-head. " It is best to let saut water take its gate," 
said Swertha ; " luck never came of crossing it." 

" In troth," said the Ranzleman, "they are wise folks that let wave 
and withy haud their ain — luck never came of a half-drowned man, or 
a half-hanged ane either. Who was't shot Will Paterson off the ISToss ? 
— the Dutchman that he saved from sinking, I trow. To fling a 
drowning man a plank or a tow may be the part of a Christian ; but I 
say, keep hands an him, if ye wad live and thrive free frae his danger." 

"Ye are a wise man, Ranzelman, and a worthy," echoed Swertha, 
with a groan, " and ken how and whan to help a neighbour, as weel as 
ony man that ever drew a net." 

" In troth, I have seen length of days," answered the Ranzelman, 
" and I have heard what the auld folK said to each other anent sic 
matters ; and nae man in Zetland shall go farther than I will in ar iT 
Christian service to a man on firm land ; but if he ciy ' Help !' out 
the saut waves, that's another story." 

" And yet, to think of this lad Cleveland standing in our Maisti 
Mordaunt' s light," said Swertha, " and with Magnus Troil, that thougl 
him the flower of the island but on Whitsunday last ; and Magnus, to 
that's both held (when he's fresh, honest man) the wisest and wealthie 
of Zetland!" 

" He canna win by it," said the Ranzelman, with a look of tl 
deepest sagacity. " There's whiles, Swertha, that the wisest of us (j 
I am sure I humbly confess mysell not to be) may be little better tha 
gulls, and can no more win by doing deeds of folly than I can step oy< 
Sumburgh-head. It has been my own case once or twiee in my lif 



THE PIRATE. 81 

But we shall see soon what ill is to come of all this, for good there 
cannot come." 

And Swertha answered, with the same tone of prophetic wisdom, 
" Na, na, gude can never come on it, and that is ower truly said." 

These doleful predictions, repeated from timl to time, had some 
effect upon Mordaunt. He did not indeed suppose that the charitable 
action of relieving a drowning man had subjected him, as a necessary 
and fatal consequence, to the unpleasant circumstances in which he 
was placed ; yet he felt as if a sort of spell were drawn around him, of 
which he neither understood the nature nor the extent ; — that some 
power, in short, beyond his own control, was acting upon his destiny, 
and, as it seemed, with no friendly influence. His curiosity, as well as 
his anxiety, was highly excited, and he continued determined, at all 
events, to make his appearance at the approaching festival, when he 
was impressed with the belief that something uncommon was necessa- 
rily to take place, which should determine his future views and pros- 
pects in life. 

As the elder Mertoun was at this time in his ordinary state of health, 
it became necessary that his son should intimate to him his intended 
visit to Burgh- Westra. He did so ; and his father desired to know the 
especial reason of his going thither at this particular time. 

" It is a time of merry-making," replied the youth," and all the coun- 
try are assembled." % 

" And you are doubtless impatient to add another fool to the num- 
ber. — Go ; but beware how you walk in the path which you are about 
to tread — a fall from the cliffs of Foula were not more fatal." 

"May I ask the reason of your caution, sir?" replied Mordaunt, 
breaking through the reserve which ordinarily subsisted betwixt him 
and his singular parent. 

" Magnus Troil," said the elder Mertoun, " has two daughters— you 
are of the age when men look upon such gauds with eyes of affection, 
that they may afterwards learn to curse the day that first opened their 
eyes upon heaven ! I bid you beware of them ; for, as sure as that 
death and sin came into the world by woman, so sure are their soft 
words, and softer looks, the utter destruction and ruin of all who put 
faith in them." 

Mordaunt had sometimes observed his father's marked dislike to the 
female sex, but had never before heard him give vent to it in terms so 
determined and precise. He replied, that the daughters of Magnus 
Troil were no more to him than any other females in the islands ; 

they were even of less importance," he said, "for they had broken off 
their friendship with him, without assigning any cause." 

" And you go to seek the renewal of it ?" answered his father. " Silly 
moth, that hast once escaped the taper without singeing thy wings, are 
you not contented with the safe obscurity of these wilds, but must 
hasten back to the flame, which is sure at length to consume thee ? 
But why should I waste arguments in deterring thee from thy inevit- 
able fate ?— Go where thy destiny calls thee." 

On the succeeding day, which was the eve of the great festival, Mor- 
daunt set forth on his road to Burgh-Westra, pondering alternately on 
the injunctions of Noma— on the ominous words of his father— on the 

r 



82 THE PIRATE. 

inauspicious auguries of Swertha and the Ranzelinan of Jarlshof— and 
not without experiencing that gloom with which so many concurring 
circumstances of ill omen combined to oppress his mind. 

" It bodes me but a cold reception at Burgh-Westra," said he ; " but 
my stay shall be the shorter. I will but find out whether they have 
been deceived by this seafaring stranger, or whether they have acted 
out of pure caprice of temper, and love of change of company. If the 
first be the case, I will vindicate my character, and let Captain Cleve- 
land look to himself ; — if the latter, why, then, good-night to Burgh- 
Westra and all its inmates." 

As he mentally meditated this last alternative, hurt pride, and a re- 
turn of fondness for those to whom he supposed he was bidding farewell 
for ever, brought a tear into his eye, which he dashed off hastily and 
indignantly, as, mending his pace, he continued on his journey. 

The weather being now serene and undisturbed, Mordaunt made his 
way with an ease that formed a striking contrast to the difficulties 
which he had encountered when he last travelled the same route ; yet 
there was a less pleasing subject for comparison within his own mind. 

" My breast," he said to himself, " was then against the wind, but 
my heart within was serene and happy. I would I had now the same 
careless feelings, were they to be bought by battling with the severest 
storm that ever blew across these lonely hills !" 

With such thoughts, he arrived about noon at Earfra, the habitation, 
as the reader may remember, of the ingenious Mr Yellow! ey. Our 
traveller had, upon the present occasion, taken care to be quite inde- 
pendent of the niggardly hospitality of this mansion, which was now 
become infamous on that account through the whole island, by bringing 
with him, in his small knapsack, such provisions as might have sufficed 
for a longer journey. In courtesy, however, or rather, perhaps, to get 
rid of his own disquieting thoughts, Mordaunt did not fail to call at the 
mansion, which he found in singular commotion. Triptolemus himself, 
invested with a pair of large jack-boots, went clattering up and down 
stairs, screaming out questions to his sister and his serving-woman 
Tronda, who replied with shriller and more complicated screeches. At 
length Mrs Baby herself made her appearance, her venerable person 
endued with what was then called a Joseph, an ample garment, which 
had once been green, but now, betwixt stains and patches, had become 
like the vesture of the patriarch whose name it bore— a garment of 
divers colours. A steeple-crowned hat, the purchase of some long-past 
moment, in which vanity had got the better of avarice, with a feather 
which had stood as much wind and rain as if it had been part of a sea- 
mew's wing, made up her equipment, save that in her hand she held a 
silver-mounted whip of antique fashion. This attire, as well as an air 
of determined bustle in the gait and appearance of Mrs Barbara Yellow- 
ley, seemed to bespeak that she was prepared to take a journey, and 
cared not, as the saying goes, who knew that such was her determina- 
tion. 

She was the first that observed Mordaunt on his arrival, and she 
greeted him with a degree of mingled emotion. " Be good to us !" she 
exclaimed, " if here is not the canty callant that wearsyon thing about 
his neck, and that snapped up our goose as light as if it had been a 



THE PIRATE, 83 

sandie-kvrock !" The admiration of the gold chain, which had for- 
merly made so deep an impression on her mind, was marked in the first 
part of her speech, the recollection of the untimely fate of the smoked 
goose was commemorated in the second clause. " I will lay the burden 
of my life," she instantly added, " that he is ganging our gate." 

" I am bound for Burgh-Westra, Mrs Yellowley," said Mordaunt. 

" And blithe will we be of your company," she added — " it's early 
day to eat ; but if you liked a barley scone and a drink of bland — nathe- 
less, it is ill travelling on a full stomach, besides quelling your appetite 
for the feast that is biding you this day ; for all sort of prodigality there 
will doubtless be." 

Mordaunt produced his own stores, and, explaining that he did not 
love to be burdensome to them on this second occasion, invited ibem to 
partake of the provisions he had to offer. Poor Triptolemus, who sel- 
dom saw half so good a dinner as his guest's luncheon, threw himself 
upon the good cheer, like Sancho on the scum of Camacho's kettle, and 
even the lady herself could not resist the temptation, though she gave 
way to it with more moderation, and with something like a sense of 
shame. " She had let the fire out," she said, " for it was a pity wast- 
ing fuel in so cold a country, and so she had not thought of getting 
anything ready, as they were to set out so soo/i ; and so she could not 
but say, that the young gentleman's nacket looked very good ; and be- 
sides, she had some curiosity to see whether the folks in that country 
cured their beef in the same way they did in the north of Scotland. 
Under which combined considerations, Dame Baby made a hearty ex- 
periment on the refreshments which thus unexpectedly presented them- 
selves. 

When then extemporary repast was finished, the factor became soli- 
citous to take the road ; and now Mordaunt discovered, that the alacrity 
with which he had been received by Mistress Baby was not altogether 
disinterested. Neither she nor the learned Triptolemus felt much dis- 
posed to commit themselves to the wilds of Zetland without the assist- 
ance of a guide ; and although they could have commanded the assist- 
ance of one of their own labouring folks, yet the cautious agriculturist 
observed, that it would be losing at least one day's work ; and his sister 
multiplied his apprehensions by echoing back, " One day's work ! — ye 
may weel say twenty — for, set ane of their noses within the smell of a 
kail-pot, and their lugs within the sound of a fiddle, and whistle them 
back if ye can !" 

Now the fortunate arrival of Mordaunt, in the very nick of time, not 
to mention the good cheer which he brought with him, made him as 
welcome as any one could possibly be to a threshold, which, on all 
ordinary occasions, abhorred the passage of a guest; nor was Mr 
Yellowley altogether insensible of the pleasure he promised himself in 
detailing his plans of improvement to his young companion, and enjoy- 
ing, what his fate seldom assigned him, the company of a patient and 
admiring listener. 

As the factor and his sister were to prosecute their journey on horse- 
back, it only remained to mount their guide and companion ; a thing 
easily accomplished. Avhere there are such numbers of shaggy, long- 
backed, short-legged ponies, running wild upon the extensive moors, 



84 THE PIRATE. 

which are the common pasturage for the cattle of every township, where 
shelties, geese, swine, goats, sheep, and little Zetland cows, are turned 
out promiscuously, and often in numbers which can obtain but precari- 
ous subsistence from the niggard vegetation. There is, indeed, a right 
of individual property in all these animals, which are branded or tat- 
tooed by each owner with his own peculiar mark ; but when any pas- 
senger has occasional use for a pony, he never scruples to lay hold of 
the first which he can catch, puts on a halter, and, having rode him as 
far as he finds convenient, turns the animal loose to find his way back 
again as he best can — a matter in which the ponies are sufficiently sa- 
gacious. 

Although this general exercise of property was one of the enormities 
which in due time the factor intended to abolish, yet, like a wise man, 
he scrupled not, in the meantime, to avail himself of so general a prac- 
tice, which, he condescended to allow, was particularly convenient for 
those who (as chanced to be his own present case) had no ponies of their 
own on which their neighbours could retaliate. Three snelties, there- 
fore, were procured from the hill — little shagged animals, more resem- 
bling wild bears than anything of the horse tribe, yet possessed of no 
small degree of strength and spirit, and able to endure as much fatigue 
and indifferent usage as any creatures in the world. 

Two of these horses were already provided and fully accoutred for the 
journey. One of them, destined to bear the fair person of Mistress 
Baby, was decorat-ed with a huge side-saddle of venerable antiquity — a 
mass, as it were, of cushion and padding, from which depended, on all 
sides, a housing of ancient tapestry, which having been originally in- 
tended for a horse of ordinary size, covered up the diminutive palfrey 
over which it was spread from the ears to the tail, and from the shoul- 
der to the fetlock, leaving nothing visible but its head, which looked 
fiercely out from these enfoldments, like the heraldic representation of 
a lion looking out of a bush. Mordaunt gallantly lifted up the fair 
Mistress Yellowley, and, at the expense of very slight exertion, placed 
her upon the summit of her mountainous saddle. It is probable that, 
on feeling herself thus squired and attended upon, and experiencing the 
long unwonted consciousness that she was attired in her best array, some 
thoughts dawned upon Mistress Baby's mind, which checkered for an 
instant those habitual ideas about thrift that formed the daily and all- 
engrossing occupation of her soul. She glanced her eye upon her faded 
Joseph, and on the long housings of her saddle, as she observed with a 
smile, to Mordaunt, that "travelling was a pleasant thing in fine 
weather and agreeable company, if," she added, glancing a look at a 
place where the embroidery was somewhat frayed and tattered," it was 
not sae wasteful to ane's horse-furniture." 

Meanwhile, her brother stepped stoutly to his steed ; and as he chose, 
notwithstanding the serenity of the weather, to throw a long red cloak 
over his other garments, his pony was even more completely enveloped 
in drapery than that of his sister. It happened, moreover, to be an ani- 
mal of a high and contumacious spirit, bouncing and curvetting occa- 
sionally under the weight of Triptolemus, with a vivacity which, not- 
withstanding his Yorkshire descent, rather deranged him in the saddle ; 
gambols which* as the palfrey itself was not visible, except upon the 



THE PIRATE. 85 

strictest inspection, had, at a little distance, an effect as if they were 
the voluntary movements of the cloaked cavalier, without the assist- 
ance of any other legs than those with which nature had provided him ; 
and, to any who had viewed Triptolemus under such a persuasion, the 
gravity and even distress announced in his countenance must have 
made a ridiculous contrast to the vivacious caprioles with which he 
piaffed along the moor. 

Mordaunt kept up with this worthy couple, mounted, according to 
the simplicity of the time and country, on the first and readiest pony 
which they had been able to press into the service, with no other ac- 
coutrement of any kind than the halter which served to guide him ; 
while Mr Yellowley, seeing with pleasure his guide thus readily pro- 
vided with a steed, privately resolved that this rude custom of helping 
travellers to horses, without leave of the proprietor, should not be 
abated in Zetland until he came to possess a herd of ponies belong- 
ing in property to himself, and exposed to suffer in the way of retalia- 
tion. 

But to other uses or abuses of the country Triptolemus Yellowley 
showed himself less tolerant. Long and wearisome were the discourses 
he held with Mordaunt, or (to speak much more correctly) the ha- 
rangues which he inflicted upon him, concerning the changes which his 
own advent in these isles was about to occasion. Unskilled as he was 
in the modern arts by which an estate may be improved to such a high 
degree that it shall altogether slip through the proprietor's fingers, 
Triptolemus had at least the zeal, if not the knowledge, of a whole 
agricultural society in his own person ; nor was he surpassed by any one 
who has followed him in that noble spirit which scorns to balance profit 
against outlay, but holds the glory of effecting a great change on the 
face of the land to be, like virtue, in a great degree its own reward. 

No part of the wild and mountainous region over which Mordaunt 
guided him but what suggested to his active imagination some scheme 
of improvement and alteration. He would make a road through yon 
scarce passable glen, where at present nothing but the sure-footed 
creatures on which they were mounted could tread with any safety. He 
would substitute better houses for the skeoes, or sheds built of dry 
stones, in which the inhabitants cured or manufactured their fish — they 
should brew good ale instead of bland — they should plant forests where 
tree never grew — and find mines of treasure where a Danish skilling was 
accounted a coin of a most respectable denomination. All these muta- 
tions, with many others, did the worthy factor resolve upon, speaking 
at the same time with the utmost confidence of the countenance and 
assistance which he was to receive from the higher classes, and especi- 
ally from Magnus Troil. 

" I will impart some of my ideas to the poor man," he said, "before 
we are both many hours older ; and you will mark how grateful he will 
be to the instructor who brings him knowledge, which is better than 
wealth." 

" I would not have you build too strongly on that," said Mordaunt, 
by way of caution ; " Magnus Troil's boat is kittle to trim— he likes his 
own ways, and his country- ways, and you will as soon teach your sheltie 
to dive like a sealgh, as bring Magnus to take a Scottish fashion in the 



86 THE PIRATE, 

place of a Norse one — and yet, if he is steady to his old customs, he may 
perhaps be as changeable as another in his old friendships." 

" Heus, tu inepte /" said the scholar of St Andrews, " steady or un- 
steady, what can it matter ? — am not I here in point of trust, and in 
point of power 'i and shall a Fowd, by which barbarous appellative this 
Magnus Troil still calls himself, presume to measure judgment and 
weigh reasons with me, who represent the full dignity of the Chamber- 
lain of the islands of Orkney and Zetland ?" 

" Still," said Mordaunt, " I would advise you not to advance too 
rashly upon his prejudices. Magnus Troil, frbm the hour of his birth 
to this day, never saw a greater man than himself, and it is difficult to 
bridle an old horse for the first time. Besides, he has at no time in his 
life been a patient listener to long explanations, so it is possible that he 
may quarrel with your proposed reformation before you can convince 
him of its advantages." 

" How mean you, young man V said the factor. " Is there one who 
dwells in these islands who is so wretchedly blind as not to be sensible 
of their deplorable defects ? Can a man," he added, rising into enthu- 
siasm as he spoke, " or even a beast, look at that thing there, which 
they have the impudence to call a corn-mill,' without trembling to 
think that corn should be intrusted to such a miserable molendinary ? 
The wretches are obliged to have at least fifty in each parish, each 
trundling away upon its paltry mill-stone, under the thatch of a roof 
no bigger than a bee-skep, instead of a noble and seemly baron's mill, 
of which you would hear the clack through the haill country, and that 
casts the meal through the mill-eye by forpits at a time !" 

" Ay, ay, brother, said his sister, " that's spoken like your wise sell. 
The mair cost the mair honour — that's your word ever mair. Can it 
no creep into your wise head, man, that ilka body grinds their ain 
nievefu' of meal in this countrv, without plaguing themsells about 
baron's mills, and thirls, and sucken, and the like trade ? How mony 
a time have I heard you bell-the-cat with auld Edie Netherstane, the 
miller at Grindleburn, and wi' his very knave too, about in-town and 
out-town multures — lock, gowpen, and knaveship, and a' the lave o't ; 
and now naething less will serve you than to bring in the very same 
fashery on a wheen puir bodies, that big ilk ane a mill for themselves, 
sic as it is ?" 

" Dinna tell me of gowpen and knaveship !" exclaimed the indignant 
agriculturist ; " better pay the half of the grist to the miller, to have 
the rest grund in a Christian manner, than put good grain into a bairn's 
whirligig. Look at it for a moment, Baby— Bide still, ye cursed imp !" 
This interjection was applied to his pony, which began to be extremely 
impatient, while its rider interrupted his journey to point out all the 
weak points of the Zetland Mill—" Look at it, I say— it's just one de- 
gree better than a hand-quern— it has neither wheel nor trindle — neither 
cog nor happer — Bide still, there's -a canny bejist — it canna grind a 
bickerfu' of meal in a quarter of an hour, and that will be mair like a 
mash for horse than a meltith for man's use — Wherefore — Bide still, I 
Bay— wherefore — wherefore— The deil's in the beast, and nae good, I 
think !" 

> See Note L. Zetland Corn-MilU. 



THE PIRATE. 87 

As he uttered the last words, the sheltie, which had pranced and 
curvetted for some time with much impatience, at length got its head 
betwixt its legs, and at once canted its rider into the little rivulet, 
which served to drive the depreciated engine he was surveying ; then 
emancipating itself from the folds of the cloak, fled back towards its 
own wilderness, neighing in scorn, and flinging out its heels at every 
five yards. 

Laughing heartily at his disaster, Mordaunt helped the old man to 
arise ; while his sister sarcastically congratulated him on having fallen 
rather into the shallows of a Zetland rivulet than the depths of a Scot- 
tish mill-pond. Disdaining to reply to this sarcasm, Triptolemus, so 
soon as he had recovered his legs, shaken his ears, and found that the 
folds of his cloak had saved him from being much wet in the scanty 
streamlet, exclaimed aloud, " I will have cussers from Lanarkshire — 
brood mares from Ayrshire — I will not have one of these cursed abor- 
tions left on the islands, to break honest folk's necks — I say, Baby, I 
will rid the land of them." 
; " Ye had better wring your ain cloak, Triptolemus," answered Baby. 

Mordaunt meanwhile was employed in catching another pony from a 
herd which strayed at some distance ; and, having made a halter out of 
twisted rushes, he seated the dismayed agriculturist in safety upon a 
more quiet, though less active steed, than that which he had at first 
bestrode. 

But Mr Yellowley's fall had operated as a considerable sedative upon 
his spirits, and, for the full space of five miles' travel, he said scarce a 
word, leaving full course to the melancholy aspirations and lamentations 
which his sister Baby bestowed on the old bridle which the pony had 
carried off in its flight, and which, she observed, after having lasted for 
eighteen years come Martinmas, might now be considered as a castaway 
thing. Finding she had thus the field to herself, the old lady launched 
forth into a lecture upon economy, according to her own idea of that 
virtue, which seemed to include a system of privations which, though 
observed with the sole purpose of saving money, might, if undertaken 
upon other principles, have ranked high in the history of a religious 
ascetic. 

She was but little interrupted by Mordaunt, who, conscious he was 
now on the eve of approaching Burgh-Westra, employed himself rather 
in the task of anticipating the nature of the reception he was about to 
meet with there from two beautiful young women than with the prosing 
of an old one, however wisely she might prove that small-beer was more 
wholesome than strong ale, and that if her brother had bruised his 
ankle-bone in his tumble, cumfrey and butter was better to bring him 
round again than all the doctor's drugs in the world. 

But now the dreary moorlands, over which their path had hitherto 
lain, were exchanged for a more pleasant prospect, opening on a salt- 
water lake, or arm of the sea, which ran up far inland, and was sur- 
rounded by flat and fertile ground, producing crops better than the 
experienced eye of Triptolemus Yellowley had as yet witnessed in Zet- 
land. In the midst of this Goshen stood the mansion of Burgh- Westra, 
screened from the nr rth and east by a ridge of heathy hills which lay 
behind it, and commanding an interesting prospect of the lake and its 



88 THE PIRATE. 

parent ocean, as well as the islands and more distant mountains. From 
the mansion itself, as well as from almost every cottage in the adjacent 
hamlet, arose such a rich cloud of vapoury smoke as showed that the 
preparations for the festival were not confined to the principal residence 
of Magnus himself, but extended through the whole vicinage. 

"My certie," said Mrs Baby YelloAvley, "ane wad think the haill 
town was on fire ! The very hill-side smells of their wastefulness, and 
a hungry heart wad scarce seek better kitchen 1 to a barley-scone, than 
just to waft it in the reek that's rising out of yon lunis." 



CHAPTER XII 



• Thou hast described 



A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius, 
When love begins to sicken and decay, 
It useth an enforced ceremony. 
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith. 

Julius Caesar. 

If the smell which was wafted from the chimneys of Burgh-Westra 
up to the ban-en hills by which the mansion was surrounded could, as 
Mrs Barbara opined, have refreshed the hungry, the noise which pro- 
ceeded from thence might have given hearing to the deaf. It was a 
medley of all sounds, and all connected with jollity and kind welcome. 
Kor were the sights associated with them less animating. 

Troops of friends were seen in the act of arriving — their dispersed 
ponies flying to the moors in eveiy direction, to recover their own 
pastures in the best way they could ; — such, as we have already said, 
being the usual mode of discharging the cavalry which had been levied 
for a day's service. At a small but commodious harbour connected 
with the house and hamlet, those visitors were landing from their boats 
who, living in distant islands and along the coast, had preferred making 
their journey by sea. Mordaunt and his companions might see each 
party pausing frequently to greet each other, and strolling on succes- 
sively to the liouse, whose ever open gate received them alternately in 
such numbers, that it seemed the extent of the mansion, though suited 
to the opulence and hospitality of the owner, was scarce, on this occa- 
sion, sufficient for the guests. 

Among the confused sounds of mirth and welcome which arose at 
the entrance of each new company, Mordaunt thought he could dis- 
tinguish the loud laugh and hearty salutation of the Sire of the man- 
sion, and began to feel more deeply than before the anxious doubt, 
whether that cordial reception, which was distributed so freely to all 
others, would be on this occasion extended to him. As they came on, 
they heard the voluntary scrapings and bravura effusions of the gallant 
fiddlers, who impatiently flung already from their bows those sounds 
with which they were to animate the evening. The clamour of the 

1 What is eat by way of relish to dry bread is called kitchen in Scotland, as cheese, 
dried fish, or the like relishing morsels. 



THE PIRATE. 89 

cook's assistants, and the loud scolding tones of the cook himself, were 
also to be heard — sounds of dissonance at any other time, but which, 
subdued with others, and by certain happy associations, form no dis- 
agreeable part of the full chorus which always precedes a rural feast. 

Meanwhile, the guests advanced, each full of their own thoughts. 
Mordaunt's we have already noticed. Baby was wrapt up in the me- 
lancholy grief and surprise excited by the positive conviction, that so 
much victuals had been cooked at once as were necessary to feed all the 
mouths which were clamouring around her — an enormity of expense 
which, though she was no way concerned in bearing it, affected her 
nerves, as the beholding a massacre would touch those of the most in- 
different spectator, however well assured of his OAvn personal safety. 
She sickened, in short, at the sight of so much extravagance, like 
Abyssinian Bruce, when he saw the luckless minstrels of Gondar hacked 
to pieces by the order of Ras Michael. As for her brother, they being 
now arrived where the rude and antique instruments of Zetland agri- 
culture lay scattered in the usual confusion of a Scottish barn-yard ; his 
thoughts were at once engrossed in the deficiencies of the one-stilted 
plough — of the twiscar, with which they dig peats — of the sledges, on 
which they transport commodities— of all and every thing, in short, in 
which the usages of the islands differed from those of the mainland of 
Scotland. The sight of these imperfect instruments stirred the blood 
of Triptolemus Yellowley, as that of the bold warrior rises at seeing the 
arms and insignia of the enemy he is about to combat ; and, faithful to , 
his high emprise, he thought less of the hunger which his journey had 
occasioned, although about to be satisfied by such a dinner as rarely fell 
to his lot, than upon the task which he had undertaken, of civilising 
the manners, and improving the cultivation, of Zetland. 

" J acta est alea" he muttered to himself; "this very day shall 
prove whether the Zetlanders are worthy of our labours, or whether 
their minds are as incapable of cultivation as their peat-mosses. Yet 
let us be cautious, and watch the soft time of speech. I feel, by my own 
experience, that it were best to let the body, in its present state, take 
the place of the mind. A mouthful of that same roast- beef, which smells 
so delicately, will form an apt introduction to my grand plan for im- 
proving the breed of stock." 

By this time the visitors had reached the low but ample front of 
Magnus Troil's residence, which seemed of various dates, witn large and 
ill-imagined additions, hastily adapted to the original building, as the 
increasing estate, or enlarged family, of successive proprietors, appeared 
to each to demand. Beneath a low, broad, and large porch, supported 
by two huge carved posts, once the head-ornaments of vessels which had 
found shipwreck upon the coast, stood Magnus himself, intent on the 
hospitable toil of receiving and welcoming the numerous guests who 
successively approached. His strong portly figure was well adapted to 
the dress which he wore — a blue coat of an antique cut, lined with 
scarlet, and laced and looped with gold down the seams and button- 
holes, and along the ample cuffs. Strong and masculine features, ren- 
dered ruddy and brown by frequent exposure to severe weather — a quan- 
tity of most venerable silver hair, which fell in unshorn profusion from 
under his gold-laced hat, and was carelessly tied with a ribbon behind, 



90 THE PIRATE. 

expressed at once his advanced age, his hasty, yet well-conditioned 
temper, and his robust constitution. As our travellers approached him, 
a shade of displeasure seemed to cross his brow, and to interrupt for an 
instant the honest and hearty burst of hilarity with which he had been 
in the act of greeting all prior arrivals. When he approached Triptole- 
mus Yellowley, he drew himself up, so as to mix, as it were, some share 
of the stately importance of the opulent Udaller with the welcome 
afforded by the frank and hospitable landlord. 

" You are welcome, Mr Yellowley," was his address to the factor ; 
" you are welcome to Westra — the wind has blown you on a rough 
coast, and we that are the natives must be kind to you as we can. 
This, I believe, is your sister — Mistress Barbara Yellowley, permit me 
the honour of a neighbourly salute." — And so saying, with a daring and 
self-devoted courtesy, which would find no equal in our degenerate 
days, he actually ventured to salute the withered cheek of the spin- 
stress, who relaxed so much of her usual peevishness of expression as 
to receive the courtesy with something which approached to a smile. 
He then looked full at Mordaunt Mertoun, and, without offering his 
hand, said, in a tone somewhat broken by suppressed agitation, " You 
too are welcome, Master Mordaunt." 

" Did I not think so," said Mordaunt, naturally offended by the cold- 
ness of his host's manner, " I had not been here — and it is not yet too 
late to turn back." 

" Young man," replied Magnus, " you know better than most, that 
from these doors no man can turn without an offence to their owner. I 
pray you, disturb not my guests by your ill-timed scruples. When 
Magnus Troil says welcome, all are welcome who are within hearing of 
his voice, and it is an indifferent loud one. — Walk on, my worthy guests, 
and let us see what cheer my lasses can make you within doors. 

So saying, and taking care to make his manner so general to the 
whole party that Mordaunt should not be able to appropriate any par- 
ticular portion of the welcome to himself, nor yet to complain of being 
excluded from all share in it, the Udaller ushered the guests into his 
house, where two large outer rooms, which, on the present occasion, 
served the purpose of a modern saloon, were already crowded with guests 
of every description. 

The furniture was sufficiently simple, and had a character peculiar to 
the situation of these stormy islands. Magnus Troil was, indeed, like 
most of the higher class of Zetland proprietors, a friend to the dis- 
tressed traveller, whether by sea or land, and had repeatedly exerted 
his whole authority in protecting the property and persons of ship- 
wrecked mariners ; yet so frequent were wrecks upon that tremendous 
coast, and so many unappropriated articles were constantly flung ashore, 
that the interior of the house bore sufficient witness to the ravages of 
the ocean, and to the exercise of those rights which the lawyers term 
Flotsome and Jetsome. The chairs, which were arranged around the 
walls, were such as are used in cabins, and many of them were of foreign 
construction ; the mirrors and cabinets, which were placed against the 
walls for ornament or convenience, had, it was plain from their form, 
been constructed for ship-board, and one or two of the latter were of 
strange and unknown wood. Even the partition which separated the 



THE PIRATE. 91 

two" apartments seemed constructed out of the bulk-heads of some large 
vessel, clumsily adapted to the service which it at present performed 
by the labour of some native joiner. To a stranger, these evident marks 
and tokens of human misery might, at the first glance, form a contrast 
with the scene of mirth with which they were now associated ; but the 
association was so familiar to the natives that it did not for a moment 
interrupt the course of their glee. 

To the younger part of these revellers the presence of Mordaunt was 
like a fresh charm of enjoyment. All came around Mm to marvel at 
his absence, and all, by their repeated inquiries, plainly showed that 
they conceived it had been entirely voluntary on his side. The youth 
felt that this general acceptation relieved his anxiety on one painful 
point. Whatever prejudice the family of Burgh- Westra might have 
adopted respecting him, it must be of a private nature ; and at least he 
had not the additional pain of finding that he was depreciated imthe 
eyes of society at large ; and his vindication, when he found oppor- 
tunity to make one, would not require to be extended beyond the circle 
of a single family. This was consoling ; though his heart still throbbed 
with anxiety at the thought of meeting with his estranged, but still 
beloved friends. Laying the excuse of his absence on his father's state 
of health, he made his way through the various groups of friends and 
guests, each of whom seemed willing to detain him as long as possible, 
and having, by presenting them to one or two families of consequence, 
got rid of his travelling companions, who at first stuck fast as burs, he 
reached at length the door of a small apartment, which, opening from 
one of the large exterior rooms we have mentioned, Minna and Brenda 
had been permitted to fit up after their own taste, and to call their 
peculiar property. 

Mordaunt had contributed no small share of the invention and me- 
chanical execution employed in fitting up this favourite apartment, and 
in disposing its ornaments. It was, indeed, dining his last residence 
at Burgh- Westra as free to his entrance and occupation as to its proper 
mistresses. But now, so much were times altered, that he remained 
with his finger on the latch, uncertain whether he should take the free- 
dom to draw it, until Brenda' s voice pronounced the words, " Come in, 
then," in the tone of one who is interrupted by an unwelcome disturber, 
who is to be heard and despatched with all the speed possible. 

At this signal Mertoun entered the fanciful cabinet of the sisters, 
which by the addition of many ornaments, including some articles of 
considerable value, had been fitted up for the approaching festival. 
The daughters of Magnus, at the moment of Mordaunt' s entrance, 
were seated in deep consultation with the stranger Cleveland, and with 
a little slight-made old man, whose eye retained all the vivacity of 
spirit which had supported him under the thousand vicissitudes of a 
changeful and precarious life, and which, accompanying him in his old 
age, rendered his gray hairs less awfully reverend perhaps, but not less 
beloved, than would a more grave and less imaginative expression of 
countenance and character. There was even a penetrating shrewdness 
mingled in the look of curiosity with which, as he stepped for an in- 
stant aside, he seemed to watch the meeting of Mordaunt with the two 
lovely sisters. 



92 THE PIRATE. 

The reception the youth met with resembled, in general character, 
that which he had experienced from Magnus himself ; but the maidens 
could not so well cover their sense of the change of circumstances under 
which they met. Both blushed, as rising, and without extending the 
hand, far less offering the cheek, as the fashion of the times permitted, 
and almost exacted, they paid to Mordaunt the salutation due to an 
ordinary acquaintance. But the blush of the older was one of those 
transient evidences of flitting emotion, that vanish as fast as the 
passing thought which excites them. In an instant she stood before 
the youth calm and cold, returning, with guarded and cautious courtesy, 
the usual civilities which, with a faltering voice, Mordaunt endeavoured 
to present to her. The emotion of Brenda bore, externally at least, a 
deeper and more agitating character. Her blush extended over every 
part of her beautiful skin which her dress permitted to be visible, in- 
cluding her slender neck, and the upper region of a finely-formed bosom. 
Neither did she even attempt to reply to what share of his confused 
compliment Mordaunt addressed to her in particular, but regarded him 
with eyes in which displeasure was evidently mingled with feelings of 
regret, and recollections of former times. Mordaunt felt, as it were, 
assured upon the instant that the regard of Minna was extinguished, 
but that it might be yet possible to recover that of the milder Brenda ; 
and such is the waywardness of human fancy, that though he had 
never hitherto made any distinct difference betwixt these two beautiful 
and interesting girls, the favour of her which seemed most absolutely 
withdrawn, became at the moment the most interesting in his eyes. 

He was disturbed in these hasty reflections by Cleveland, who ad- 
vanced, with military frankness, to pay his compliments to his pre- 
server, having only delayed long enough to permit the exchange of the 
ordinary salutation betwixt the visitor and the ladies of the family. 
He made his approach with so good a grace that it was impossible for 
Mordaunt, although he dated his loss of favour at Burgh- Westra from 
the stranger's appearance on the coast, and domestication in the family, 
to do less than return his advances as courtesy demanded, accept his 
thanks with an appearance of satisfaction, and 'hope that his time had 
passed pleasantly since their last meeting. 

Cleveland was about to answer, but he was anticipated by the little 
old man formerly noticed, who now thrusting himself forward, and 
seizing Mordaunt's hand, kissed him on the forehead ; and then at the 
same time echoed and answered his question — " How passes time at 
Burgh-Westra '!■ Was it you that asked it, my prince of the cliff and 
of the scaur 'I How should it pass, but with all the wings that beauty 
and joy can add to help its flight !" 

" And wit and song, too, my good old friend," said Mordaunt, half- 
serious, half-jesting, as he shook the old man cordially by the hand. — 
" These cannot be wanting where Claud Halcro comes !" 

" Jeer me not, Mordaunt, my good lad," replied the old man ; 
" when your foot is as slow as mine, your wit frozen, and your song out 
of tune " 

" How can you belie yourself, my good master ?" answered Mordaunt, 
who was not unwilling to avail himself of his old friend's peculiarities 
to introduce something like conversation, break the awkwardness of 



THE PIRATE. 93 

this singular meeting, and gain time for observation, ere requiring an 
explanation of the change of conduct which the family seemed to have 
adopted towards him. " Say not so," he continued. " Time, my old 
friend, lays his hand lightly on the bard. Have I not heard you say, 
the poet partakes the immortality of his song 'I and surely the great 
English poet you used to tell us of was elder than yourself when he 
pulled the bow-oar among all the wits of London." 

This alluded to a story which was, as the French term it, Halcro's 
cheval de battaille, and any allusion to which was certain at once to 
place him in the saddle, and to push his hobbyhorse into full career. 

His laughing eye kindled with a sort of enthusiasm, which the ordi- 
nary folk of this world might have called crazed, while he dashed into 
the subject which he best loved to talk upon. " Alas, alas ! my dear 
Mordaunt Mertoun, silver is silver, and waxes not dim by use — and 
pewter is pewter, and grows the longer the duller. It is not for poor 
Claud Halcro to name himself in the same twelvemonth with the im- 
mortal John Dryden. True it is, as I may have told you before, that 
I have seen that great man — nay, I have been in the Wits' Coffeehouse, 
as it was then called, and had once a pinch out of his own very snuff- 
box. I must have told you all how it happened, but here is Captain 
Cleveland who never heard it. — I lodged, you must know, in Russel 
Street — I question not but you know Russel Street, Covent Garden, 
Captain Cleveland V 

"I should know its latitude pretty well, Mr Halcro," said the Cap- 
tain, smiling ; " but I believe you mentioned the circumstance yester- 
day, and besides we have the day's duty in hand — you must play us 
this song which we are to study." 

" It will not serve the turn now," said Halcro ; "we must think of 
something that will take in our dear Mordaunt, the first voice in the 
island, whether for a part or solo. I will never be he will touch a string 
to you, unless Mordaunt Mertoun is to help us out. — What say you, 
my fairest Night ? — what think you, my sweet Dawn of Day ?" he 
added, addressmg the young women, upon whom ; as we have said else- 
where, he had long before bestowed these allegorical names. 

" Mr Mordaunt Mertoun," said Minna, "has come too late to be of 
our band on this occasion — it is our misfortune, but it cannot be 
helped." 

_ " How ? what ?" said Halcro, hastily — " too late— and you have prac- 
tised together all your lives 1 Take my word, my bonny lasses, that 
old tunes are sweetest, and old friends surest. Mr Cleveland has a fine 
bass, that must be allowed ; but I would have you trust for the first 
effect to one of the twenty fine airs you can sing where Mordaunt' s tenor 
joins so well with your own witchery — here is my lovely Day approves 
the change in her heart." 

" You were never in your life more mistaken, father Halcro," said 
Brenda, her cheeks again reddening, more with displeasure, it seemed, 
than with shame. 

" Nay, but how is this ?" said the old man, pausing, and looking at 
them alternately. " What have we got here ?— a cloudy night and a 
red morning ?— that betokens rough weather.— What means all this, 
young women ?— where lies the offence ?— In me, I fear ; for the blame 



94 THE PIRATE. 

is always laid upon the oldest when young folks like you go by the 
ears." 

" The blame is not with you, father Halcro," said Minna, rising, and 
taking her sister by the arm, "if indeed there be blame anywhere." 

" I should fear then, Minna," said Mordaunt, endeavouring to soften 
his tone into one of indifferent pleasantry, " that the new comer has 
brought the offence along with him." 

"When no offence is taken," replied Minna, with her usual gravity, 
" it matters not by whom such may have been offered." 

" Is it possible, Minna ?" exclaimed Mordaunt, " and is it you who 
speak thus to me ? — And you too, Brenda, can you too judge so harshly 
of me, yet without permitting me one moment of honest and frank 
explanation ?" 

" Those who should know best," answered Brenda, in a low but de- 
cisive tone of voice, " have told us their pleasure, and it must be done. 
— Sister, I think we have staid too long here, and shall be wanted else- 
where. — Mr Mertoun will excuse us on so busy a day." 

The sisters linked their arms together. Halcro in vain endeavoured 
to stop them, making, at the same time, a theatrical gesture, and 
exclaiming, 

" Now, Day and Night, but this is wondrous strange !" 

Then turned to Mordaunt Mertoun, and added — " The girls are pos- 
sessed with the spirit of mutability, showing, as our master Spenser 
well saith, that 

'Among all living creatures, more or lesse, 
Change still doth reign, and keep the greater sway.' 

Captain Cleveland," he continued, " know you anything that has hap- 
pened to put these two juvenile Graces out of tune ?" 

"He will lose his reckoning," answered Cleveland, "that spends 
time in inquiring why the wind shifts a point, or why a woman changes 
her mind. Were I Mr Mordaunt, I would not ask the proud wenches 
another question on such a subject." 

"It is a friendly advice, Captain Cleveland," replied Mordaunt, 
" and I will not hold it the less so that it has been given unasked. 
Allow me to inquire if you are yourself as indifferent to the opinion of 
your female friends as it seems you would have me to be ?" 

" Who, I ?" said the Captain, with an air of frank indifference, " I 
never thought twice upon such a subject. I never saw a woman worth 
thinking twice about after the anchor was a-peak — on shore it is an- 
other thing ; and I will laugh, sing, dance, and make love, if they like 
it, with twenty girls, were they but half so pretty as those who have 
left us, and make them heartily welcome to change their course in 
the sound of a boatswain's whistle. It will be odds but I wear as fast 
as they can." 

A patient is seldom pleased with that sort of consolation which is 
founded on holding light the malady of which he complains ; and Mor- 
daunt felt disposed to be offended with Captain Cleveland, both for 
taking notice of his embarrassment, and intruding upon him his own 
opinion; and he replied, therefore, somewhat sharply, "that Captain 



THE PIRATE. 95 

Cleveland's sentiments were only suited to such as had the art to he- 
come universal favourites wherever chance happened to throw them, 
and who could not lose in one place more than their merit was sure to 
gain for them in another." 

This was spoken ironically; but there was, to confess the truth, 
a superior knowledge of the world, and a consciousness of external 
merit at least, about the man, which rendered his interference doubly 
disagreeable. As Sir Lucius 0' Trigger says, there was an air of suc- 
cess about Captain Cleveland which was mighty provoking. Yoimg, 
handsome, and well assured, his air of nautical bluntness sat naturally 
and easily upon him, and was perhaps particularly well fitted to the 
simple manners of the remote country in which he found himself ; and 
where, even in the best families, a greater degree of refinement might 
have rendered his conversation rather less acceptable. He was con- 
tented, in- the present instance, to smile good-humouredly at the obvi- 
ous discontent of Mordaunt Mertoun, and replied, "You are angry 
with me, my good friend, but you cannot make me angry with you. 
The fair hands of all the pretty women I ever saw in my life would 
never have fished me up out of the Roost of Sumburgh. So, pray, do 
not quarrel with me ; for here is Mr Halcro witness that I have struck 
both jack and topsail, and, should you fire a broadside into me, cannot 
return a single shot." 

"Ay, ay," said Halcro, "you must be friends with Captain Cleve- 
land, Mordaunt. Never quarrel with your friend because a woman is 
whimsical. Why, man, if they kept one humour, how the devil could 
we make so many songs on them as we do ? Even old Dryden himself, 
glorious old John, could have said little about a girl that was always 
of one mind— as well write verses upon a mill-pond. It is your tides 
and your roosts, and your currents and eddies, that come and go, and 
ebb and flow (by Heaven ! I run into rhyme when I so much as think 
upon them), that smile one day, rage the next, flatter and devour, de- 
light and ruin us, and so forth — it is these that give the real soul of 
poetry. Did you never hear my Adieu to the Lass of Northmaven — 
that was poor Bet Stimbister, whom I call Mary for the sound's sake, 
as I call myself Hacon after my great ancestor Hacon Goldemund, or 
Haco with the golden mouth, who came to the island with Harold 
Harfager, and was his chief Scald ?— Well, but where was I ?— Oh, ay 
— poor Bet Stimbister, she (and partly some debt) was the cause of my 
leaving the isles of Hialtland (better so called than Shetland, or Zet- 
land even), and taking to the broad world. I have had a tramp of it 
since that time — I have battled my way through the world, Captain, 
as a man of mold may, that has a light head, a light purse, and a heart 
as light as them both— fought my way, and paid my way— that is, 
either with money or wit— have seen kings changed and deposed, as 
you would turn a tenant out of a scathold— knew all the wits of the 
age, and especially the glorious John Dryden— what man in the islands 
can say as much, barring lying?— I had a pinch out of his own snuff- 
box — I will tell you how I came by such promotion." 

"But the song, Mr Halcro," said Captain Cleveland. 

"The song ?" answered Halcro, seizing the Captain by the button,— 
tor he was too much accustomed to have his audience escape from him 



96 THE PIRATE. 

during recitation not to put in practice all the usual means of prever 
tion,— " The song? Why, I gave a copy of it, with fifteen others, t 
the immortal John. You shall hear it— you shall hear them all, if yo 
will but stand still a moment ; and you too, my dear boy, Mordaui 
Mertoun, I have scarce heard a word from your mouth these six months 
and now you are running away from me." So saying, he secured hii 
with his other hand. 

"Nay, now he has got us both in tow," said the seaman, "there is 
nothing for it but hearing him out, though he spins as tough a yarn a 
ever an old man-of-war' s-man twisted on the watch at midnight." 

" Nay, now, be silent, be silent, and let one of us speak at once, 
said the poet, imperatively ; while Cleveland and Mordaunt, lookin 
at each other with a ludicrous expression of resignation to their fat( 
waited in submission for the well-known and inevitable tale. " I wi 
tell you all about it," continued Halcro. "I was knocked about th 
world like other young fellows, doing this, that, and t'other, for a live 
lihood ; for, thank God, I could turn my hand to anything — but lovin 
still the Muses as much as if the ungrateful jades had found me, lik 
so many blockheads, in my own coach-and-six. However, I held 01 
till my cousin, old Lawrence Linkletter, died, and left me the bit of a 
island yonder; although, by the way, Cultmalindie was as near to hii» 
as I was ; but Lawrence loved wit, though he had little of his own- 
Well, he left me the wee bit island — it is as barren as Parnassus itsel 
What then ? — I have a penny to spend, a penny to keep my purse, 
penny to give to the poor — ay, and a bed and a bottle for a friend, a 
you shall know, boys, if you will go back with me when this merrimen 
is over. — But where was I in my story?" 

"Near port, I hope," answered Cleveland; but Halcro was too de 
termined a narrator to be interrupted by the broadest hint. 

" Oh, ay," he resumed, with the self-satisfied air of one who has re 
covered the thread of a story, " I was in my old lodgings in Russ( 
Street, with old Timothy Thimblethwaite, the Master Fashioner, the 
the best-known man about town. He made for all the wits, and fc 
the dull boobies of fortune besides, and made the one pay for the othei 
He never denied a wit credit save in jest ? or for the sake of getting i 
repartee ; and he was in correspondence with all that was worth knou 
ing about town. He had letters from Crowne, and Tate, and Prior, an 
Tom Brown, and all the famous fellows of the time, with such pellet 
of wit, that there Avas no reading them without laughing ready to die 
and all ending with craving a farther term for payment." 

" I should have thought the tailor would have found that jest rathe 
serious," said Mordaunt. 

"Not a bit— not a bit," replied his eulogist ; "Tim Thimblethwait 
(he was a Cumberland-man by birth) had the soul of a prince — ay, an 
died with the fortune of one ; for woe betide the custard-gorged alderma 
that came under Tim's goose after he had got one of those letters- 
egad, he was sure to pay the kain ! Why, Thimblethwaite was though 
to be the original of little Tom Bibber, in glorious John's comedy c 
the Wild Gallant ; and I know that he has trusted, ay, and lent Joh 
money to boot out of his own pocket, at a time when all his fine coui 
friends blew cold enough. He trusted me too, and I have been tw 



THE PIRATE. 97 

months on the score at a time for my upper room. To be sure, I was 
obliging in his way— not that I exactly could shape or sew, nor would 
that have been decorous for a gentleman of good descent ; but I — eh, 
eh — I drew bills — summed up the books ' 

" Carried home the clothes of the wits and aldermen, and got lodging 
for your labour," interrupted Cleveland. 

" No, no— damn it, no," replied Halcro ; " no such thing— you put 
me out in my story — where was I ?" 

" Nay, the devil help you to the latitude," said the Captain, extri- 
cating his button from the gripe of the unmerciful bard's finger and 
thumb, "for I have no time to take an observation." So saying, he 
bolted from the room. 

" A silly, ill-bred, conceited fool," said Halcro, looking after him ; 
" with as little manners as wit in his empty coxcomb. I wonder what 
Magnus and these silly wenches can see in him — he tells such damnable 
long-winded stories, too, about his adventures and sea-fights — every 
second word a lie, I doubt not. Mordaunt, my dear boy, take example 
by that man — that is, take warning by him — never tell long stories 
about yourself. You are sometimes given to talk too much about your 
own exploits on crags and skerries, and the like, which only breaks con- 
versation, and prevents other folk from being heard. Now I see you 
are impatient to hear out what I was saying — Stop, whereabouts was 

"I fear we must put it off, Mr Halcro, until after dinner," said 
Mordaunt, who also meditated his escape, though desirous of effecting 
it with more delicacy towards his old acquaintance than Captain Cleve- 
land had thought it necessary to use. 

" Nay, my dear boy," said Halcro, seeing himself about to be utterly 
ieserted, " do not you leave me too — never take so bad an example as 
to set light by old acquaintance, Mordaunt. I have wandered many a 
weary step in my day ; but they were always lightened when I could 
*et hold of the arm of an old friend like yourself. 

So saying, he quitted the youth's coat, and, sliding his hand gently 
under his arm, grappled him more effectually ; to which Mordaunt sub- 
mitted, a little moved by the poet's observation upon the unkindness 
of old acquaintances, under which he himself was an immediate sufferer. 
But'- when Halcro renewed his formidable question, " Whereabouts was 
IT Mordaunt, preferring his poetry to his prose, reminded him of the 
?ong which he said he had written upon his first leaving Zetland, — a 
song to which, indeed, the inquirer was no stranger, but which, as it 
must be new to the reader, we shall here insert as a favourable specimen 
)f the poetical powers of this tuneful descendant of Haco the Golden- 
mouthed ; for, in the opinion of many tolerable judges, he held a re- 
spectable rank among the inditers of madrigals of the period, and was 
is well qualified to give immortality to his Nancies of the hills or dales, 
is many a gentle sonnetteer of wit and pleasure about town. He was 
iomething of a musician also, and on the present occasion seized upon 
i sort of lute, and, quitting his victim, prepared the instrument for an 
accompaniment, speaking all the while that he might lose no time. 

"I learned the lute," he said, "from the same man who taught 
bonest Shadwell— plump Tom, as they used to call him— somewhat 

a 



98 THE PIRATE. 

roughly treated by the glorious John, you remember — Mordaunt, you 
remember — 

' Methinks I see the new Arion sail, 
The lute still trembling underneath thy nail ; 
At thy well-sharpen'd thumb, from shore to shore, 
The trebles squeak for fear, the basses roar.' 

Come, I am indifferently in tune now — what was it to be ? — ay, I re- 
member — nay, The Lass of Northinaven is the ditty— poor Bet Stim- 
bister ! I have called her Mary in the verses. Betsy does well for an 
English song; but Mary is more natural here." So saying, after a 
short prelude, he sung, with a tolerable voice and some taste, the fol- 
lowing verses : — 

MARY. 

" Farewell to Northmaven, 

Gray Hillswicke, farewell! 
To the calms of thy haven, 

The storms on thy fell — 
To each breeze that can vary 

The mood of thy main, 
And to thee, bonny Mary I 

We meet not again. 

" Farewell the wild ferry, 

Which Hacon could brave, 
When the peaks of the Skerry 

Were white in the wave. 
There's a maid may look over 

These wild waves in vain — 
For the skiff of her lover — 

He comes not again. 

" The vows thou has broke, 

On the wild currents fling them ; 
On the quicksand and rock 

Let the mermaidens sing them. 
New sweetness they'll give her 

Bewildering strain; 
But there's one who will never 

Believe them again. 

•» Oh were there an island, 

Though ever so wild, 
Where woman could smile, and 

No man be beguiled — 
Too tempting a snare 

To poor mortals were given, 
And the hope would fix there, 

That should anchor on heaven." 

" I see you are softened, my young friend," said Halcro, when he had 
finished his song ; " so are most who hear that same ditty. Words and 
music both mine own ; and without saying much of the wit of it, there 
is a sort of eh— eh— simplicity and truth about it, which gets its way to 
most folk's heart. Even your father cannot resist it— and he has a 
heart as impenetrable to poetry and song as Apollo himself could draw 
an arrow against. But then he has had some ill-luck in his time with 
the women-folk, as is plain from his owing them such a grudge— Ay, 
ay, there the charm lies— none of us but has felt the same sore in our 
day. But come, my dear boy, they are mustering in the hall, men and 



, THE PIRATE. 99 

women both — plagues as they are, we should get on ill without them— - 
but before we go, only mark the last turn— 

'And the hope would fix there,'— 

that is, in the supposed island — a place which neither was nor will 
be— 

' That should anchor on heaven.' 

Now you see, my good young man, there are here none of your heathen- 
ish rants, which Rochester, Etheridge, and these wild fellows, used to 
string together. A parson might sing the song, and his clerk bear the 
burden—but there is the confounded bell — we must go now — but never 
mind — we'll get into a quiet corner at night, and I'll tell you all about 
it." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Full in the midst the polish'd table shines, 
And the bright goblets, rich with generous wines ; 
Now each partakes the feast, the wine prepares, 
Portions the food, and each the portion shares ; 
Nor till the rage of thirst and hunger ceased, 
To the high host approach'd the sagacious guest. 

Odyssey. 

The hospitable profusion of Magnus Troil's board, the number of 
guests who feasted in the hall, the much greater number of retainers, 
attendants, humble friends, and domestics of every possible description, 
who revelled without, with the multitude of the still poorer and less 
honoured assistants, who came from every hamlet or township within 
twenty miles round to share the bounty of the munhicent Udaller, were 
such as altogether astonished Triptolemus Yellowley, and made him in- 
ternally doubt whether it would be prudent in him at this time, and 
amid the full glow of his hospitality, to propose to the host who pre- 
sided over such a splendid banquet a radical change in the whole cus- 
toms and usages of his country. 

; True, the sagacious Triptolemus felt conscious that he possessed in 
his own person wisdom far superior to that of all the assembled feasters, 
to say nothing of the landlord, against whose prudence the very extent 
of his hospitality formed, in Yellowley' s opinion, sufficient evidence. 
But yet the Amphitryon with whom one dines, holds, for the time at 
least, an influence over the minds of his most distinguished guests ■ and 
if the dinner be in good style, and the wines of the right quality, it is 
humbling to see that neither art nor wisdom, scarce external rank it- 
self, can assume then natural and wonted superiority over the distri- 
butor of these good things, until coffee has been brought in. Triptole- 
mus felt the full weight of this temporary superiority, yet he was desir- 
ous to do something that might vindicate the vaunts he had made to 
his sister and his fellow-traveller, and he stole a look at them from time 
to time, to mark whether he was not sinking in their esteem from post- 
poning his promised lecture on the enormities of Zetland. 



100 THE PIRATE. 

But Mrs Barbara was busily engaged in noting and registering the 
waste incurred in such an entertainment as she had probably never 
before looked upon, and in admiring the host's indifference to, and the 
guests' absolute negligence of, those rules of civility in which her youth 
had been brought up. The feasters desired to be helped from a dish 
which was unbroken, and might have figured at supper with as much 
freedom as if it had undergone the ravages of half-a-dozen guests ; and 
no one seemed to care — the landlord himself least of all — whether 
those dishes only were consumed, which, from their nature, were in- 
capable of re-appearance, or whether the assault was extended to the 
substantial rounds of beef, pasties, and so forth, which, by the rules of 
good housewifery, were destined to stand two attacks, and which, there- 
fore, according to Mrs Barbara's ideas of politeness, ought not to have 
been annihilated by the guests upon the first onset, but spared, like 
Outis in the cave of Polyphemus, to be devoured the last. Lost in the 
meditations to which these breaches of convivial discipline gave rise, 
and in the contemplation of an ideal larder of cold meat which she 
could have saved out of the wreck of roast, boiled, and baked, sufficient 
to have supplied her cupboard for at least a twelvemonth, Mrs Barbara 
cared very little whether or not her brother supported in its extent the 
character which he had calculated upon assuming. 

Mordaunt Mertoim also was conversant with far other thoughts than 
those which regarded the proposed reformer of Zetland enormities. 
His seat was betwixt two blithe maidens of Thule, who, not taking 
scorn that he had upon other occasions given preference to the 
daughters of the Udaller, were glad of the chance which assigned to 
them the attentions of so distinguished a gallant, who, as being their 
squire at the feast, might in all probability become their partner in the 
subsequent dance. But, whilst rendering to his fair neighbours all the 
usual attentions which society required, Mordaunt kept up a covert, 
but accurate and close observation, upon his estranged friends, Minna 
and Brenda. The Udaller himself had a share of his attention ; but 
in him he could remark nothing, except the usual tone of hearty and 
somewhat boisterous hospitality, with which he was accustomed to ani- 
mate the banquet upon all such occasions of general festivity. But in 
the differing mein of the two maidens there was much more room for 
painful remark. 

Captain Cleveland sat betwixt the sisters, Avas sedulous in his atten- 
tions to both, and Mordaunt was so placed that he could observe all, 
and hear a great deal of what passed between them. But Cleveland's 
peculiar regard seemed devoted to the elder sister. Of this the younger 
was perhaps conscious, for more than once her eye glanced towards 
Mordaunt, and, as he thought, with something in it which resembled 
regret for the interruption of their intercourse, and a sad remembrance 
of former and more friendly times, while Minna Avas exclusively en- 
grossed by the attentions of her neighbour ; and that it should be so 
filled Mordaunt with surprise and resentment. 

Minna, the serious, the prudent, the reserved, Avhose countenance 
and manners indicated so much elevation of character — Minna, the 
lover of solitude, and of those paths of knoAvledge in Avhich men walk 
best without company— the enemy of light mirth, the friend of musing 



THE PIRATE. 101 

melancholy, and the frequenter of fountain-heads and pathless-glens— 
she whose character seemed, in short, the very reverse of that which 
might be captivated by the bold, coarse, and daring gallantry of such 
a man as this Captain Cleveland, gave, nevertheless, her eye and ear 
to him as he sat beside her at table, with an interest and a gracious- 
ness of attention which, to Mordaunt. who well knew how to judge of 
her feelings by her manner, intimated a degree of the highest favour. 
He observed this, and his heart rose against the favourite by whom he 
had been thus superseded, as well as against Minna's indiscreet depar- 
ture from her own character. 

" What is there about the man," he said within himself, " more 
than the bold and daring assumption of importance which is derived 
from success in petty enterprises, and the exercise of petty despotism 
over a ship's crew 1 — His very language is more professional than is 
used by the superior officers of the British navy ; and the wit which 
has excited so many smiles seems to me such as Minna would not 
formerly have endured for an instant. Even Brenda seems less taken 
with his gallantry than Minna, whom it should have suited so little." 

Mordaunt was doubly mistaken in these his angry speculations. In 
the first place, with an eye which was, in some respects, that of a rival, 
he criticised far too severely the manners and behaviour of Captain 
Cleveland. They were unpolished, certainly ; which was of the less 
consequence in a country inhabited by so plain and simple a race as the 
ancient Zetlanders. On the other hand, there was an open, naval 
frankness in Cleveland's bearing — much natural shrewdness — some ap- 
propriate humour — an undoubting confidence in himself— and that 
enterprising hardihood of disposition which, without any other recom- 
mendable quality, very often leads to success with the fair sex. But 
Mordaunt was farther mistaken in supposing that Cleveland was likely 
to be disagreeable to Minna Troil on account of the opposition of their 
characters in so many material particulars. Had his knowledge of the 
world been a little more extensive, he might have observed that as 
unions are often formed betwixt couples differing in complexion and 
stature, they take place still more frequently betwixt persons totally 
differing in feelings, in taste, in pursuits, and in understanding ; and 
it would not be saying, perhaps, too much to aver, that two-thirds of 
the marriages around us have been contracted betwixt persons who, 
judging d priori, we should have thought had scarce any charms for 
each other. 

A moral and primary cause might be easily assigned for these ano- 
malies in the wise dispensations of Providence, that the general balance 
of wit, wisdom, and amiable qualities of all kinds, should be kept up 
through society at large. For, what a world were it if the wise were 
to intermarry only with the wise, the learned with the learned, the 
amiable with the amiable, nay, even the handsome with the handsome ? 
and is it not evident that the degraded castes of the foolish, the igno- 
rant, the brutal, and the deformed (comprehending, by the way, far the 
greater portion of mankind), must, when condemned to exclusive in- 
tercourse with each other, become gradually as much brutalized in 
person and disposition as so many ourang-outangs ? When, therefore, 
we see the " gentle joined to the rude," we may lament the fate of the 



102 THE PIRATE, , 

suffering individual, but we must not the less admire the mysterious 
disposition of that wise Providence which thus balances the moral good 
and evil of life ; which secures for a family, unhappy in the dispositions 
of one parent, a share of better and sweeter blood transmitted from the 
other, and preserves to the offspring the affectionate care and protection 
of at least one of those from whom it is naturally due. Without the 
frequent occurrence of such alliances and unions — mis-sorted as they 
seem at first sight — the world could not be that for which Eternal 
Wisdom has designed it — a place of mixed good and evil — a place of 
trial at once, and of suffering, where even the worst ills are chequered 
with something that renders them tolerable to humble and patient 
minds, and where the best blessings carry with them a necessary alloy 
of embittering depreciation. 

When, indeed, we look a little closer on the causes of those unex- 
pected and ill-suited attachments, we have occasion to acknowledge 
that the means by which they are produced do not infer that complete 
departure from, or inconsistency with, the character of the parties, 
which we might expect when the result alone is contemplated. The 
wise purposes which Providence appears to have had in view, by per- 
mitting such intermixture of dispositions, tempers, and understandings 
in the married state, are not accomplished by any mysterious impulse 
by which, in contradiction to the ordinary laws of nature, men or 
women are urged to an union with those whom the world see to be un- 
suitable to them. The freedom of will is permitted to us in the oc- 
currences of ordinary life, as in our moral conduct ; and in the former as 
well as the latter case, is often the means of misguiding those who 
possess it. Thus it usually happens, more especially to the enthusiastic 
and imaginative, that, having formed a picture of admiration in their 
own iniud, they too often deceive themselves by some faint resemblance 
in some existing being whom their fancy, as speedily as gratuitously, 
invests with all the attributes necessary to complete the beau ideal of 
mental perfection. No one, perhaps, even in the happiest marriage, 
with an object really beloved, ever discovered by experience all the 
qualities he expected to possess ; but in far too many cases, he finds he 
has practised a much higher degree of mental deception, ana has erected 
his airy castle of felicity upon some rainbow, which owed its very ex- 
istence only to the peculiar state of the atmosphere. 

Thus Mordaunt, if better acquainted with life, and with the course 
of human things, would have been little surprised that such a man as 
Cleveland, handsome, bold, and animated, — a man who had obviously- 
lived in danger, and who spoke of it as sport, — should have been invested, 
by a girl of Minna's fanciful character, with an extensive share of those 
qualities which, in her active imagination, were held to fill up the accom- 
plishments of a heroic character. The plain bluntness of his manner, if 
remote from courtesy, appeared at least as widely different from deceit ; 
and, unfashioned as he seemed by forms, he had enough both of natural 
sense, and natural good-breeding, to support the delusion he had 
created, at least as far as externals were concerned. It is scarce neces- 
sary to add, that these observations apply exclusively to what are called 
love-matches ; for when either party fix their attachment upon the 
substantial comforts of a rental or a jointure, they cannot be disap- 



THE PIRATE. , 103 

pointed in the acquisition, although they may be cruelly so in their 
over-estimation of the happiness it was to afford, or in having too 
slightly anticipated the disadvantages with which it was to be at- 
tended. 

Having a certain partiality for the dark Beauty whom we have de- 
scribed, we have willingly dedicated this digression, in order to account 
for a line of conduct which we allow to seem absolutely unnatural in 
such a narrative as the present, though the most common event in 
ordinary life, — namely, in Minna's appearing to have over-estimated the 
taste, talent, and ability of a handsome young man, who was dedi- 
cating to her Ins whole time and attention, and whose homage rendered 
her the envy of almost all the other young women of that numerous 
party. Perhaps, if our fair readers will take the trouble to consult 
their own bosoms, they will be disposed to allow that the distinguished 
good taste exhibited by any individual, who, when his attentions would 
be agreeable to a whole circle of rivals, selects one as their individual 
object, entitles him, on the footing of reciprocity, if on no other, to a 
large share of that individual's favourable and even partial esteem. 
At any rate, if the character shall, after all, be deemed inconsistent 
and unnatural, it concerns not us, who record the facts as we find them, 
and pretend no privilege for bringing closer to nature those incidents 
which may seem to diverge from it ; or for reducing to consistence that 
most inconsistent of all created things, — the heart of a beautiful and 
admired female. 

Necessity, which teaches all the liberal arts, can render us also adepts 
in dissimulation ; and Mordaunt, though a novice, failed not to profit 
in her school. It was manifest that, in order to observe the demeanour 
of those on whom his attention was fixed, he must needs put constraint 
on his own, and appear, at least, so much engaged with the damsels 
betwixt whom he sat that Minna and Brenda should suppose him in- 
different to what was passing around him. The ready cheerfulness of 
Maddie and Clara Groatsettars, who were esteemed considerable for- 
tunes in the island, and were at this moment too happy in feeling them- 
selves seated somewhat beyond the sphere of vigilance influenced by 
their aunt, the good old Lady Glowrowrum, met and requited the 
attempts which Mordaunt made to be lively and entertaining ; and 
they were soon engaged in a gay conversation, to which, as usual on 
such occasions, the gentleman contributed wit, or what passes for such, 
and the ladies their prompt laughter and liberal applause. But amidst 
this seeming mirth Mordaunt failed not, from time to time, as covertly 
as he might, to observe the conduct of the two daughters of Magnus ; 
and still it appeared as if the elder, wrapt up in the conversation of 
Cleveland, did not cast away a thought on the rest of the company ; 
and as if Brenda, more openly as she conceived his attention withdrawn 
from her, looked with an expression both anxious and melancholy to- 
wards the group of which he himself formed a part. He was much 
moved by the diffidence, as well as the trouble, which her looks seemed 
to convey, and tacitly formed the resolution of seeking a more full ex- 

Elanation with her in the course of the evening. Noma, he remem- 
ered, had stated that these two amiable young women were in danger, 
the nature of which she left unexplained, but which he suspected to 



104 THE PIRATE. 

arise out of their mistaking the character of this daring and all-engross- 
ing stranger ; and he secretly resolved that, if possible, he would be 
the means of detecting Cleveland, and of saving his early friends. 

As he revolved these thoughts, his attention to the Miss Groatsettars 
gradually diminished, and perhaps he might altogether have forgotten 
the necessity of his appearing an uninterested spectator of what was 
passing, had not the signal been given for the ladies retiring from table. 
Minna, with a native grace, and somewhat of stateliness in ner manner, 
bent her head to the company in general, with a kinder and more par- 
ticular expression as her eye reached Cleveland. Brenda, with the 
blush which attended her slightest personal exertion when exposed to 
the eyes of others, hurried through the same departing salutation with 
an embarrassment which almost amounted to awkwardness, but which 
her youth and timidity rendered at once natural and interesting. Again 
Mordaunt thought that her eye distinguished him amidst the numer- 
ous company. For the first time he ventured to encounter and to 
return the glance ; and the consciousness that he had done so doubled 
the glow of Brenda' s countenance, while something resembling displea- 
sure was blended with her emotion. 

When the ladies had retired, the men betook themselves to the deep 
and serious drinking which, according to the fashion of the times, pre- 
ceded the evening exercise of the dance. Old Magnus himself, by pre- 
cept and example, exhorted them " to make the best use of their time, 
since the ladies would soon summon them to shake their feet." At 
the same time giving the signal to a gray-headed domestic, who stood 
behind him in the dress of a Dantzic skipper, and who added to many 
other occupations that of butler, " Eric Scambester," he said, " has the 
good ship the Jolly Mariner of Canton got her cargo on board ?" 

" Chokeful loaded," answered the Ganymede of Burgh-Westra, "with 
good Nantz, Jamaica sugar, Portugal lemons, not to mention nutmeg 
and toast, and water taken in from the Shellicoat spring." 

Loud and long laughed the guests at this stated and regular jest 
betwixt the Udaller and his butler, which always served as a preface 
to the introduction of a punchbowl of enormous size, the gift of the 
captain of one of the Honourable East India Company's vessels, which, 
bound from China homeward, had been driven north-about by stress 
of weather into Lerwick Bay, and had there contrived to get rid of 

Sart of the cargo, without very scrupulously reckoning for the King's 
uties. 

Magnus Troil, having been a large customer, besides otherwise 
obliging Captain Coolie, had been remunerated, on the departure of the 
ship, with this splendid vehicle of conviviality, at the very sight of 
which, as old Eric Scambester bent under its weight, a murmur of ap- 
plause ran through the company. The good old toasts dedicated to 
the prosperity of Zetland were then honoured with flowing bumpers. 
" Death to the head that never wears hair !" was a sentiment quaffed 
to the success of the fishing, as proposed by the sonorous voice of the 
Udaller. Claud Ilalcro proposed with general applause, " The health 
of their worthy landmaster, the sweet sister meat-mistresses ; health 
to man, death to fish, and growth to the produce of the ground." The 
same recurring sentiment was proposed more concisely by a white-headed 



THE PIRATE. 105 

compeer of Magnus Troil in the words, " God open the mouth of the 
gray fish, and keep His hand about the corn !" x 

Full opportunity was afforded to all to honour these interesting 
toasts. Those nearest the capacious Mediterranean of punch were ac- 
commodated by the Udaller with their portions, dispensed in huge 
rummer glasses by his own hospitable hand, whilst they who sat at a 
greater distance replenished their cups by means of a rich silver flagon, 
facetiously called the Pinnace ; which, filled occasionally at the bowl, 
served to dispense its liquid treasures to the more remote parts of the 
table, and occasioned many right merry jests on its frequent voyages. 
The commerce of the Zetlanuers with foreign vessels and homeward- 
bound West Indiamen had early served to introduce among them the 
general use of the generous beverage with which the Jolly Mariner of 
Canton was loaded ; nor was there a man in the archipelago of Thule 
more skilled in combining its rich ingredients than old Eric Scambester, 
who indeed was known far and wide through the isles by the name of 
the Punch-maker, after the fashion of the ancient Norwegians, who 
conferred on Rollo the Walker, and other heroes of their strain, epithets 
expressive of the feats of strength or dexterity in which they excelled 
all other men. 

The good liquor was not slow in performing its office of exhilaration, 
and, as the revel advanced, some ancient Norse drinking-songs were 
sung with great effect by the guests, tending to show that if, from want 
of exercise, the martial virtues of their ancestors had decayed among the 
Zetlanders, they could still actively and intensely enjoy so much of the 
pleasures of Valhalla as consisted in quaffing the oceans of mead and 
brown ale, which were promised by Odin to those who should share his 
Scandinavian paradise. At length, excited by the cup and song, the diffi- 
dent grew bold, and the modest loquacious — all became desirous of talk- 
ing, and none were willing to listen — each man mounted his own special 
hobbyhorse, and began eagerly to call on his neighbours to witness his 
agility. Amongst others, the little bard, who had now got next to our 
friend Mordaunt Mertoun, evinced a positive determination to com- 
mence and conclude, in all its longitude and latitude, the story of his 
introduction to glorious John Dryden ; and Triptolemus Yellowley, as 
his spirits arose, shaking off a feeling of involuntary awe with which 
he was impressed by the opulence indicated in all he saw around him, 
as well as by the respect paid to Magnus Troil by the assembled guests, 
began to broach, to the astonished and somewhat offended Udaller, 
some of those projects for ameliorating the islands which he had boasted 
of to his fellow-travellers upon their journey of the morning. 

But the innovations which he suggested, and the reception which 
they met with at the hand of Magnus Troil, must be told in the next 
chapter. 

» See Hibbert's Description of the Zetland Islands, p. 470. 



106 THE PIRATE. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

We'll keep our customs— what is law itself 

But old-establish'd custom ?-r-What religion, 

(I mean, with one-half of the men that use ity 

Save the good use and wont that carries them 

To worship how and where their fathers worshipp'd ? 

All things resolve in custom — we'll keep ours. 

Old Play. 

We left the company of Magnus Troil engaged in high wassail and 
revelry. Mordaunt, who, like his father, shunned the festive cup, did 
not partake in the cheerfulness which the ship diffused among the 
guests as they unloaded it, and the Pinnace, as it circumnavigated the 
table. But, in low spirits as he seemed, he was the more meet prey for 
the story-telling Halcro, who had fixed upon him, as in a favourable 
state to play the part of listener, with something of the same instinct 
that directs the hooded crow to the sick sheep among the flock, which 
will most patiently suffer itself to be made a prey of. Joyfully did the 
poet avail himself of the advantages offered by Mordaunt's absence of 
mind, and unwillingness to exert himself in measures of active defence. 
With the unfailing dexterity peculiar to prosers, he contrived to dribble 
out his tale to double its usual length, by the exercise of the privilege 
of unlimited digressions ; so that the story, like a horse on the grand 
pas, seemed to be advancing with rapidity, while, in reality, it scarce 
was progressive at the rate of a yard in the quarter of an hour. At 
length, however, he had discussed, in all its various bearings and rela- 
tions, the history of his friendly landlord, the master-fashioner in Russel 
Street, including a short sketch of five of his relations, and anecdotes of 
three of his principal rivals, together with some general observations 
upon the dress and fashion of the period ; and having marched thus far 
through the environs and outworks of his story, he arrived at the body 
of the place, for so the Wits' Coffeehouse might be termed. He paused 
on the threshold., however, to explain the nature of his landlord's right 
occasionally to intrude himself into this well-known temple of the 
Muses. 

" It consisted," said Halcro, " in the two principal points of bearing 
and forbearing ; for my friend Thimblethwaite was a person of wit him- 
self, and never quarrelled with any jest which the wags who frequented 
that house were flinging about, like squibs and crackers on a rejoicing 
night; and then, though some of the wits — ay ; and I daresay the 
greater number, might have had some dealings with him in the way of 
trade, he never was the person to put any man of genius in unpleasant 
remembrance of such trifles. And though, my dear young Master Mor- 
daunt, you may think this is but ordinary civility, because in this coun- 
try it happens seldom that there is either much borrowing or lending, 
and because, praised be Heaven, there are neither bailiffs nor sheriff- 
officers to take a poor fellow by the neck, and because there are no 
prisons to put him into when they have done so, yet, let me tell you, 
that such a lamb-like forbearance as that of my poor, dear, deceased 
landlord Thimblethwaite is truly uncommon within the London bills 
of mortality. I could tell you of such things that have happened even 



THE PIRATE. 107 

to myself, as well as others, with these cursed London* tradesmen, as 
would make your hair stand, on end. But what the devil has put old 
Magnus into such note ? he shouts as if he were trying his voice against 
a north-west gale of wind." 

Loud indeed was the roar of the old Udaller, as, worn out of patience 
by the schemes of improvement which the factor was now undauntedly 
pressing upon his consideration, he answered him (to use an Ossianic 
phrase) like a wave upon a rock. 

" Trees, Sir Factor— talk not to me of trees ! I care not though 
there never be one on the island tall enough to hang a coxcomb upon. 
We will have no trees but those that rise in our havens — the good trees 
that have yards for boughs, and standing rigging for leaves." 

"But touching the draining of the lake of Braebaster, whereof I 
spoke to you, Master Magnus Troil," answered the persevering agricul- 
turist, " whilk I opine would be of so much consequence, there are two 
ways— down the Linklater glen, or by the Scalmester burn. Now, 
having taken the level of both " 

" There is a third way, Master Yellowley," answered the landlord. 
.., " I profess I can see none," replied Triptolemus, with as much good 
faith as a joker could desire in the subject of his wit, " in respect that 
the hill called Braebaster on the south and ane high bank on the north, 
of whilk I cannot carry the name rightly in my head " 

" Do not tell us of hills and banks, Master Yellowley — there is a 
third way of draining the loch, and it is the only way that shall be tried 
in my day. You say my Lord Chamberlain and I are the joint pro- 

Erietors — so be it — let each of us start an equal proportion of brandy, 
me-juice, and sugar, into the loch — a ship's cargo or two will do the 
job — let us assemble all the jolly Udallers of the country, and in 
twenty-four hours you shall see dry ground where the loch of Braebaster 
now is." 

A loud laugh of applause, which for a time actually silenced Tripto- 
lemus, attended a jest so very well suited to time and place — a jolly toast 
was given — a merry; song was sung — the Ship unloaded her sweets — 
the Pinnace made its genial rounds — the duet betwixt Magnus and 
Triptolemus, which had attracted the attention of the whole company 
from its superior vehemence, now once more sunk, and merged into the 
general hum of the convivial table, and the poet Halcro again resumed 
his usurped possession of the ear of Mordaunt Mertoun. 

" Whereabouts was I ?" he said, with a tone which expressed to his 
weary listener more plainly than words could how much of his desultory 
tale yet remained to be told. " Oh, I remember — we were just at the 
door of the Wits' Coffeehouse — it was set up by one " 

" Nay, but, my dear Master Halcro," said his hearer, somewhat im- 
patiently, "lam desirous to hear of your meeting with Dryden." 

"What, with glorious John 1— true— ay— where was I? At the 
Wits' Coffeehouse — Well, in at the door we got — the waiters, and so 
forth, staring at me ; for as to Thimblethwaite, honest fellow, his was a 
well-known face. — I can tell you a story about that " 

" Nay, but John Dryden?" said Mordaunt, in a tone which depre- 
cated farther digression. 

" Ay, ay, glorious John— where was I ?— Weil, as we stood close by 



108 THE PIRATE. 

the bar, where one fellow sat grinding of coffee, and another putting 
up tobacco into penny parcels — a pipe and a dish cost just a penny — 
then and there it was that I had the first peep of him. One Dennis 
sat near him, who " 

" Nay, but John Dryden — what like was he ?" demanded Mordaunt. 

" Like a little fat old man, with his own gray hair, and in a full- 
trimmed black suit, that sat close as a glove. Honest Thimblethwaite 
let no one but himself shape for glorious John, and he had a slashing 
hand at a sleeve, I promise you — But there is no getting a mouthful of 
common sense spoken here — d — n that Scotchman, he and old Magnus 
are at it again r 

It was very true ; and although the interruption did not resemble 
a thunder-clap, to which the former stentorian exclamation of the 
Udaller might have been likened, it was a close and clamorous dispute, 
maintained by question, ansAver, retort, and repartee, as closely mid- 
dled upon each other as the sounds which announce from a distance a 
close and sustained fire of musketry. 

"Hear reason, sir?" said the Udaller; "we will hear reason, and 
speak reason too ; and if reason fall short, we shall have rhyme to 
boot. — Ha, my little friend Halcro !" 

Though cut off in the middle of his best story (if that could be said 
to have a middle which had neither beginning nor end), the bard 
bristled up at the summons, like a corps of light infantry when ordered 
up to the support of the grenadiers, looked smart, slapped the table with 
his hand, and denoted his becoming readiness to back his hospitable 
landlord, as becomes a well-entertained guest. Triptolemus was a 
little daunted at this reinforcement of his adversary ; he paused, like a 
cautious general, in the sweeping attack which he had commenced on 
the peculiar usages of Zetland, and spoke not again until the Udaller 
poked him with the insulting query, " Where is your reason now, 
Master Yellowley, that you were deafening me with a moment since?" 

"Be but patient, worthy sir," replied the agriculturist; "what on 
earth can you or anv other man say in defence of that thing you call a 
plough in this blinded country ? Why, even the savage Highlandmen 
in Caithness and Sutherland can make more work, and better, with 
their gascromh, or whatever they call it." 

" But what aiis you at it, sir ?" said the Udaller ; " let me hear your 
objections to it. It tills our land, and what would ye more ?" 

" It hath but one handle or stilt," replied Triptolemus. 

" And who the devil," said the poet, aiming at something smart, 
" would wish to need a pair of stilts if he can manage to walk with a 
single one ?" 

" Or tell me," said Magnus Troil, "how it were possible for Neil of 
Lupness, that lost one arm by his fall from the crag of Nekbreckan, to 
manage a plough with two handles ?" 

" The harness is of raw seal-skin," said Triptolemus. 

" It will save dressed leather," answered Magnus Troil. 

"It is drawn by four wretched bullocks," said the agriculturist, 
u that are yoked breast-fashion ; and two women must follow this 
unhappy instrument, and complete the furrows with a couple of 
shovels." 



THE PIRATE. 109 

"Drink about, Master Yellowley," said the Udaller; "and, as you 
say in Scotland, ' never fash your thumb.' Our cattle are too high- 
spirited to let one go before the other ; our men are too gentle and well- 
nurtured to take the working-field without the women's company ; our 
ploughs till our land — our land bears us barley ; we brew our ale, eat 
our bread, and make strangers welcome to their share of it. Here's to 
you, Master Yellowley." 

This was said in a tone meant to be decisive of the question ; and, 
accordingly, Halcro whispered to Mordaunt, "That has settled the 
matter, and now we will get on with glorious John. — There he sat in 
his suit of full-trimmed black ; two years due was the bill, as mine 
honest landlord afterwards told me, — and such an eye in his head ! — 
none of yonr burning, blighting, falcon eyes, which we poets are apt to 
make a rout about,— but a soft, full, thoughtful, yet penetrating glance 
■ — never saw the like of it in my life, unless it were little Stephen 
Kleancogg's, the fiddler, at Papastow, who " 

"Nay, but John DrydenT' said Mordaunt, who, for want of better 
amusement, had begun to take a sort of pleasure in keeping the old 
gentleman to his narrative, as men herd a restive sheep when they wish 
to catch him. He returned to his theme, with his usual phrase of "Ay, 
true — glorious John — Well, sir, he cast his eye, such as I have de- 
scribed it. on my landlord, and ' Honest Tim ' said he, ' what hast thou 
got here's' and all the wits, and lords, and gentlemen, that used to 
crowd round him like the wenches round a pedlar at a fair, they made 
way for us, and up we came to the fireside where he had his own estab- 
lished chair, — I have heard it was carried to the balcony in summer, 
but it was by the fireside when I saw it, — so up came Tim Thimble- 
thwaite, through the midst of them, as bold as a lion, and I followed 
wilh a small parcel under my arm, which I had taken up partly to 
oblige my landlord, as the shop porter was not in the way, and partly 
that I might be thought to have something to do there, for you are to 
think there was no admittance at the Wits' for strangers who had no 
business there. — I have heard that Sir Charles Sedley said a good thing 
about that " 

"Nay, but you forget glorious John," said Mordaunt. 

" Ay, glorious you may well call him. They talk of their Blackmore, 
and Shadwell, and such like, not fit to tie the latchets of John's shoes 
— ' Well,' he said to my landlord, ' what have you got there V and he, 
bowing, I warrant, lower than he would to a duke, said he had made 
bold to come and show him the stuff which Lady Elizabeth had chose 
for her night-gown. — ' And which of your geese is that, Tim, who has 

fot it tucked under his wing V — ' He is an Orkney goose, if it please you, 
Ir Dry-den,' said Tim, who had wit at will, ' and he hath brought you 
a copy of verses for your honour to look at.' — ' Is he amphibious V said 
glorious John, taking the paper,— and methought I could rather have 
faced a battery of cannon than the crackle it gave as it opened, though 
he did not speak in a way to dash one neither ; — and then he looked at 
the verses, and he was pleased to say, in a very encouraging way indeed, 
with a sort of good-humoured smile on his face, and certainly, for a fat 
elderly gentleman, — for I would not compare it to Minna's smile, or 
Brenda's,— he had the pleasantest smile I ever saw,— 'Why, Tim,' he 



110 THE PIRATE. 

said, 'this goose of yours will prove a swan on our hands/ With that 
he smiled a little, and they all laughed, and none louder than those 
who stood too far off to hear the jest; for every one knew when he 
smiled there was something worth laughing at, and so took it upon 
trust ; and the word passed through among the young Templars, and 
the wits, and the smarts, and there was nothing but question on ques- 
tion who we were ; and one French fellow was trying to tell them it 
was only Monsieur Tim Thimblethwaite ; but he made such work with 
his Dumbletate and Timbletate, that I thought his explanation would 
have lasted " 

" As long as your own story," thought Mordaunt ; but the narrative 
was at length finally cut short by the strong and decided voice of the 
Udaller. 

" I will hear no more on it, Mr Factor !" he exclaimed. 

" At least let me say something about the breed of horses," said Yel- 
lowley, in rather a cry-mercy tone of voice. " Your horses, my dear sir, 
resemble cats in size, and tigers in devilry !" 

" For their size," said Magnus, " they are the easier for us to get off 
and on them — [as Triptolemus experienced this morning, thought Mor- 
daunt to himself 1 — and, as for their devilry, let no one mount tnem that 
camiot manage tnem." 

A twinge of self-conviction, on the part of the agriculturist, prevented 
him from reply. He darted a deprecatory glance at Mordaunt, as if for 
the purpose of imploring secrecy respecting his tumble ; and the Udaller, 
who saw his advantage, although he was not aware of the cause, pur- 
sued it with the high and stern tone proper to one who had all his life 
been unaccustomed to meet with, and unapt to endure ? opposition. 

" By the blood of Saint Magnus the Martyr," he said, " but you are 
a fine fellow, Master Factor Yellowley ! You come to us from a strange 
land, understanding neither our laws, nor our manners, nor our language, 
and you propose to become governor of the country, and that we should 
all be your slaves !" 

" My pupils, worthy sir, my pupils !" said Yellowley, " and that only 
for your own proper advantage. 

" We are too old to go to school," said the Zetlander. " I tell you 
once more, we will sow and reap our grain as our fathers did — we will 
eat what God sends us, with our doors open to the stranger, even as 
theirs were open. If there is aught imperfect in our practice, we will 
amend it in time and season ; but the blessed Baptist's holiday was 
made for light hearts and quick heels. He that speaks a word more of 
reason, as you call it, or anything that looks like it, shall swallow a 
pint of sea- water— he shall, by this hand !— and so fill up the good ship, 
the Jolly Mariner of Canton, once more, for the benefit of those that 
will stick by her ; and let the rest have a fling with the fiddlers, who 
have been summoning us this hour. I will warrant every wench is on 
tiptoe by this time. Come, Mr Yellowley, no unkindness, man — why, 
man, thou feelest the rolling of the Jolly Mariner still"— (for, in truth, ; 
honest Triptolemus showed a little unsteadiness of motion, as he rose 
to attend Ms host) — " but never mind, we shall have thee find thy 
land-legs to reel it with yonder bonny belles. Come along, Triptolemus 
— lot me grapple thee fast, lest thou trip, old Triptolemus — ha, ha, ha!" j 



THE PIRATE. Ill 

So saying, the portly though weatherbeaten hulk of the TJdaller sailed 
off like a man-of-war that had braved a hundred gales, having his 
guest in tow like a recent prize. The greater part of the revellers fol- 
lowed their leader with loud jubilee, although there were several stanch 
topers who, taking the option left them by the Udaller, remained be- 
hind to relieve the Jolly Mariner of a fresh cargo, amidst many a 
pledge to the health of their absent landlord, and to the prosperity of 
his roof-tree, with whatsoever other wishes of kindness could be devised 
as an apology for another pint-bumper of noble punch. 

The rest soon thronged the dancing-room, an apartment which par- 
took of the simplicity of the time and of the country. Drawing-rooms 
and saloons were then unknown in Scotland, save in the houses of the 
nobility, and of course absolutely so in Zetland ; but a long, low, ano- 
malous store-room, sometimes used for the depositation of merchandise, 
sometimes for putting aside lumber, and a thousand other purposes, 
was well known to all the youth of Dunrossness, and of many a district 
besides, as the scene of the merry dance, which was sustained with so 
much glee when Magnus Troil gave his frequent feasts. 

The first appearance of this ball-room might have shocked a fashion- 
able party, assembled for the quadrille or the waltz. Low as we have 
stated the apartment to be, it was but imperfectly illuminated by- 
lamps, candles, ship-lanterns, and a variety of other candelabra, which 
served to throw a dusky light upon the floor, and upon the heaps of 
merchandise and miscellaneous articles which were piled around ; some 
of them stores for the winter ; some, goods destined for exportation ; 
some, the tribute of Neptune, paid at the expense of shipwrecked ves- 
sels, whose owners were unknown ; some, articles of barter received by 
the proprietor, who, like most others at the period, was somewhat of a 
merchant as well as a landholder, in exchange for the fish and other 
articles, the produce of his estate. All these, with the chests, boxes, 
casks, &c, which contained them, had been drawn aside, and piled one 
above the other, in order to give room for the dancers, who, light and 
lively as if they had occupied the most splendid saloon in the parish of 
St James's, executed their national dances with equal grace and activity. 

The group of old men who looked on bore no inconsiderable resem- 
blance to a party of aged tritons, engaged in beholding the sports of the 
sea-nymphs ; so hard a look had most of them acquired by contending 
with the elements, and so much did the shaggy hair and beards, which 
many of them cultivated after the ancient Norwegian fashion, give 
their heads the character of these supposed natives of the deep. The 
young people, on the other hand, were uncommonly handsome, tall, 
well-made, and shapely ; the men with long fair hair, and, until broken 
by the weather, a fresh ruddy complexion, which, in the females, was 
softened into a bloom of infinite delicacy. Their natural good ear for 
music qualified them to second to the utmost the exertions of a band, 
whose strains were by no means contemptible ; while the elders, who 
stood around, or sat quiet upon the old sea-chests, which served for 
chairs, criticised the dancers, as they compared their execution with 
their own exertions in former days ; or, warmed by the cup and flagon, 
which continued to circulate among them, snapped their fingers, and 
beat time with their feet to the music. 



112 THE PIRATE. 

Mordaunt looked upon this scene of universal mirth with the painful 
recollection that he, thrust aside from his pre-eminence, no longer exer- 
cised the important duties of chief of the dancers, or office of leader of 
the revels, which had been assigned to the stranger Cleveland. Anxious, 
however, to suppress the feelings of his own disappointment, which he 
felt it was neither wise to entertain nor manly to display, he approached 
his fair neighbours to whom he had been so acceptable at table, with 
the purpose of inviting one of them to become his partner in the dance. 
But the awfully ancient old lady, even the Lady Glowrowrum, who 
had only tolerated the exuberance of her nieces' mirth during the time 
of dinner, because her situation rendered it then impossible for her to 
interfere, was not disposed to permit the apprehended renewal of the 
intimacy implied in Mertoun' s invitation. She therefore took upon 
herself, in the name of her two nieces, who sat pouting beside her in 
displeased silence, to inform Mordaunt, after thanking him for his 
civility, that the nands of her nieces were engaged for that evening ; 
and, as he continued to watch the party at a little distance, he had an 
opportunity of being convinced that the alleged engagement was a 
mere apology to get rid of him, when he saw the two good-humoured 
sisters join the dance under the auspices of the next young men whc 
asked their hands. Incensed at so marked a slight, and unwilling tc 
expose himself to another, Mordaunt Mertoun drew back from the 
circle of dancers, shrouded himself amongst the mass of inferior per- 
sons who crowded into the bottom of the room as spectators, and there, 
concealed from the observation of others, digested his own mortilicatior 
as well as he could — that is to say, very ill — and with all the philosophj 
of his age — that is to say, with none at all. 



CHAPTER XV. 

A torch for me— let wantons, light of heart, 
Tickle the useless rushes with their heels ; 
For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase — 
I'll be a candle-holder, and look on. 

Romeo and Juliet. 

The youth, says the moralist Johnson, cares not for the boy's hobby 
horse, nor the man for the youth's mistress ; and therefore the distres' 
of Mordaunt Mertoun, when excluded from the merry dance, may seen 
trifling to many of my readers, who would, nevertheless, think they d it 
well to be angry if deposed from their usual place in an assembly of ; 
different kind. There lacked not amusement, however, for those whoir 
the dance did not suit, or who were not happy enough to find partner 
to their liking. Ilalcro, now completely in his element, had assemble* 
round him an audience, to whom he was declaiming his poetry with all 
the enthusiasm of glorious John himself, and receiving in return th< 
usual degree of applause allowed to minstrels who recite their owi 
rhymes— so long at least as the author is within hearing of the criticism 
Ilalcro's poetry might indeed have interested the antiquary as well a 



THE PIRATE. 113 

the admirer of the Muses, for several of his pieces were translations or 
imitations from the Scaldic sagas, which continued to be sung by the 
fishermen of these islands even until a very late period ; insomuch, that 
when Gray's poems first found their way to Orkney, the old people re- 
cognised at once, in the ode of the " Fatal Sisters," the Runic rhymes 
which had amused or terrified their infancy under the title of the 
" Magicians," and which the fishers of North Ronaldshaw, and other 
remote isles, used still to sing when asked for a Norse ditty. 1 

Half-listening, half-lost in his own reflections, Mordaunt Mertoun 
stood near the door of the apartment, and in the outer ring of the little 
circle formed around old Halcro, while the bard chanted, to a low, wild, 
monotonous air, varied only by the efforts of the singer to give interest 
and emphasis to particular passages, the following imitation of a Northern 
war-song : — 

THE SONG OF HAROLD HARFAGER. 

The sun is rising dimly red," 
The wind is wailing low and dread, 
From his cliff the eagle sallies, 
In the mist the ravens hover, 
Leaves the wolf his darksome valleys; 
Peep the wild-dogs from the cover, 
Screaming, croaking, baying, yelling, 
Each in his wild accents telling, 
" Soon we feast on dead and dying, 
Fair-hair'd Harold's flag is flying." 

Many a crest in air is streaming 
Many a helmet darkly gleaming, 
Many an ann the axe uprears, 
Doom'd to hew the wood of spears. 
All along the crowded ranks, 
Horses neigh and armour clanks ; 
Chiefs are shouting, clarions ringing, 
Louder still the hard is singing, 
"Gather, footmen,— gather, horsemen, 
To the field, ye valiant Norsemen ! 

"Halt ye not for food or slumber, 
View not vantage, count not number; 
Jolly reapers, forward still ; 
Grow the crop on vale or hill, 
Thick or scatter'd, stiff or lithe, 
It shall down before the scythe. 
Forward with your sickles bright, 
Reap the harvest of the fight — 
Onward, footmen, — onward, horsemen, 
To the charge, ye gallant Norsemen ! 

"Fatal Choosers of the Slaughter, 

O'er you hovers Odin's daughter; 

Hear the choice she spreads before ye, — 

Victory, and wealth, and glory ; 

Or old Valhalla's roaring hail, 

Her ever-circling mead and ale. 

Where for eternity unite 

The joys of wassail and of fight. 

Headlong forward, foot and horsemen, 

Charge and fight, and die like Norsemen !" 

i See Note C. Norse Fragments. 



114 THE PIRATE. 

a The poor unhappy blinded heathens!" said Triptoleinus, with a 
sigh deep enough for a groan ; " they speak of their eternal cups of ale, 
and I question if they kend how to manage a croft land of grain !" 

" The cleverer fellows they, neighbour Yellowley," answered the 
poet," if they made ale without barley." 

"Barley! — alack-a-day !" replied the more accurate agriculturist, 
" whoever heard of barley in these parts ? Bear, my dearest friend, 
bear is all they have, and wonderment it is to me that they ever see an 
awn of it. Ye scart the land with a bit thing ye ca' a pleugh — ye 
might as weel give it a ritt with the teeth of a redding-kame. Oh, to 
see the sock, and the heel, and the sole-clout of a real steady Scottish 
pleugh, with a chield like a Sampson between the stilts, laying a weight 
on them would keep down a mountain ; twa stately owsen, and as 
many broad-breasted horse in the traces, going through soil and till, and 
leaving a fur in the ground would carry off water like a causeyed 
syver ! They that have seen a sight like that have seen something to 
crack about in another sort, than those unhappy auld-warld stories of 
war and slaughter, of which the land has seen even but too mickle, for 
a' your singing and soughing awa in praise of such bloodthirsty doings, 
Master Claud Halcro." 

" It is a heresy," said the animated little poet, bridling and drawing 
himself up, as if the whole defence of the Orcadian Archipelago rested 
on his single arm — " It is a heresy so much as to name one's native 
country, if a man is not prepared when and how to defend himself— ay. 
and to annoy another. The time has been, that if we made not good 
ale and aquavitae, we knew well enough where to find that which was 
ready made to our hand ; but now the descendants of Sea-kings, and 
Champions, and Berserkars, are become as incapable of using their 
swords, as if they were so many women. Ye may praise them for a 
strong pull on an oar, or a sure foot on a skerry ; but what else could 
glorious John himself say of ye, my good Hialtlanders, that any man 
would listen to ?" 

" Spoken like an angel, most noble poet," said Cleveland, who, 
during an interval of the dance, stood near the party in which this 
conversation was held. " The old champions you talked to us about 
yesternight were the men to make a harp ring — gallant fellows, that 
were friends to the sea, and enemies to all that sailed on it. Their 
ships, I suppose, were clumsy enough ; but if it is true that they went 
upon the account as far as the Levant, I scarce believe that ever better 
fellows unloosed a topsail." 

" Ay," replied Halcro, " there you spoke them right. In those days 
none could call their life and means of living then- own, unless they 
dwelt twenty miles out of sight of the blue sea. Why, they had public 
prayers put up in every church in Europe for deliverance from the ire 
of the Northmen. In France and England, ay, and in Scotland too, for 
as high as they hold their head now-a-days, there was not a bay or a 
haven but it was freer to our forefathers than to the poor devils of 
natives ; and now we cannot, forsooth, so much as grow our own barley 
without Scottish help"— (here he darted a sarcastic glance at the 
factor)—" I would I saw the time we were to measure arms with them 
again !" 



THE PIRATE. 115 

" Spoken like a hero once more," said Cleveland. 

" Ah !" continued the little bard, " I would it were possible to see 
our barks, once the water-dragons of the world, swimming with the 
black raven standard waving at the topmast, and their decks glimmer- 
ing with arms, instead of being heaped up with stockfish — winning 
with our fearless hands what the niggard soil denies — paying back all 
old scorn and modern injury — reaping where we never sowed, and fell- 
ing what we never planted — living and laughing through the world, 
and smiling when we were summoned to quit it !" 

So spoke Claud Halcro, in no serious, or at least most certainly in 
no sober mood, his brain (never the most stable) whizzing under the 
influence of fifty well-remembered sagas, besides five bumpers of usque- 
baugh and brandy; and Cleveland, between jest and earnest, clapped 
him on the shoulder, and again repeated, " Spoken like a hero !" 

" Spoken like a fool, I think," said Magnus Troil, whose attention 
had been also attracted by the vehemence of the little bard — " where 
would you cruise upon, or against whom? — we are all subjects of one 
realm, I trow, and I would have you to remember that your voyage 
may bring up at Execution-dock. — I like not the Scots — no offence, Mr 
Yellowley — that is, I would like them well enough if they would stay 
quiet in their own land, and leave us at peace with our own people, and 
manners, and fashions ; and if they would but abide there till I went to 
harry them like a mad old Berserkar, I would leave them in peace till 
the day of judgment. With what the sea sends us, and the land lends 
us, as the proverb says, and a set of honest neighbourly folks to help 
us to consume it, so help me Saint Magnus, as I think we are even but 
too happy !" 

" I know what war is," said an old man, " and I would as soon sail 
through Sumburgh-roost in a cockle-shell, or in a worse loom, as I 
would venture there again." 

"And, pray, what wars knew your valour?" said Halcro, who, 
though forbearing to contradict Iris landlord from a sense of respect, 
was not a whit inclined to abandon his argument to any meaner 
authority. 

" I was pressed," answered the old Triton, " to serve under Mon- 
trose, when he came here about the sixteen hundred and fifty-one, and 
earned a sort of us off, will ye nill ye, to get our throats cut in the 
wilds of Strathnavern 1 — I shall never forget it — we had been hard 
put to it for victuals — what would I have given for a luncheon ot 
Burgh-Westra beef— ay, or a mess of sour sillocks ? — When our High- 
landmen brought in a dainty drove of kyloes, much ceremony there 
was not, for we shot, and felled, and flayed, and roasted, and broiled, 
as it came to every man's hand ; till, just as our beards were at the 
greasiest, we heard — God preserve us — a tramp of horse, then twa or 
three drapping shots, — then came a full salvo, — and then, when the 
officers were crying on us to stand, and maist of us looking which way 
we might run away, down they broke, horse and foot, with old John 
Urry, or Hurry, 2 or whatever they call him— he hurried us that day, 
and worried us to boot— and we began to fall as thick as the stots that 
we were felling five minutes before." 

1 See Note M. Montrose. a See Note N. Sir John Urry. 



116 THE PIRATE. 

" And Montrose," said the soft voice of the graceful Minna ; " what 
became of Montrose, or how looked he ?" 

" Like a lion with the hunters before him," answered the old gentle- 
man ; " but I looked not twice his way, for my own lay right over the 
hill." 

"And so you left him ?" said Minna, in a tone of the deepest con- 
tempt. 

" It was no fault of mine, Mistress Minna," answered the old man, 
somewhat out of countenance ; " but I was there with no choice of my 
own ; and, besides, what good could I have done ? — all the rest were 
running like sheep, and why should I have staid ?" 

" You might have died with him," said Minna. 

"And lived with him to all eternity in immortal verse !" added 
Claud Halcro. 

" I thank you, Mistress Minna," replied the plain-dealing Zetlander ; 
" and I thank you, my old friend Claud ; — but I would rather drink 
both your healths in this good bicker of ale, like a living man as I am, 
than that you should be making songs in my honour for having died 
forty or fifty years agone. But what signified it, — run or fight, 'twas 
all one ;— -they took Montrose, poor fellow, for all his doughty deeds, 
and they took me, that did no doughty deeds at all ; and they hanged 
him, poor man, and as for me 

" I trust in Heaven they flogged and pickled you," said Cleveland, 
worn out of patience with the dull narrative of the peaceful Zetlander' s 
poltroonery, of which he seemed so wondrous little ashamed. 

" Flog horses and pickle beef," said Magnus ; " why, you have not 
the vanity to think that, with all your quarterdeck airs, you will make 
poor old neighbour Haagen ashamed that he was not killed some scores 
of years since ? You have looked on death yourself, my doughty young 
friend, but it was with the eyes of a young man who wishes to be thought 
of ; but we are a peaceful people, — peaceful, that is, as long as any one 
should be peaceful, and that is till some one has the impudence to wrong 
us, or our neighbours; and then, perhaps, they may not find our 
northern blood much cooler in our veins than was that of the old Scan- 
dinavians that gave us our names and lineage. — Get ye along, get ye 
along to the sword-dance, 1 that the strangers that are amongst us may 
see that our hands and our weapons are not altogether unacquainted 
even yet." 

A dozen cutlasses, selected hastily from an old arm-chest, and whose 
rusted hue bespoke how seldom they left the sheath, armed the same 
number of young Zetlanders, with whom mingled six maidens, led by 
Minna Troil ; and the minstrelsy instantly commenced a tune appro- 
priate to the ancient Norwegian war-dance, the evolutions of which are 
perhaps still practised in those remote islands. 

The first movement was graceful and majestic, the youths holding 
their swords erect, and without much gesture ; but the tune, and the 
corresponding motions of the dancers, became gradually more and more 
rapid, — they clashed their swords together, in measured time, with a 
spirit which gave the exercise a dangerous appearance in the eye of 
the spectator, though the firmness, justice, and accuracy with which 
i Sec Note 0. The Sword-Dance. 



THE PIRATE. 117 

the dancers kept time with the stroke of their weapons, did in truth 
insure its safety. The most singular part of the exhibition was the 
courage exhibited by the female performers, who now, surrounded by 
the swordsmen, seemed like the Sabine maidens in the hands of their 
Roman lovers ; now, moving under the arch of steel which the young 
men had formed by crossing their weapons over the heads of their fair 
partners, resembled the band of Amazons when they first joined in the 
Pyrrhic dance with the followers of Theseus. But by far the most 
striking and appropriate figure was that of Minna Troil, whom Halcro 
had long since entitled the Queen of Swords, and who, indeed, moved 
amidst the swordsmen with an air which seemed to hold all the drawn 
blades as the proper accompaniments of her person, and the implements 
of her pleasure. And when the mazes of the dance became more in- 
tricate, when the close and continuous clash of the weapons made some 
of her companions shrink and show signs of fear, her cheek, her lip, 
and her eye seemed rather to announce that, at the moment when the 
weapons flashed fastest and rmig sharpest around her, she was most 
completely self-possessed and in her own element. Last of all, when 
the music had ceased, and she remained for an instant upon the floor by 
herself, as the rule of the dance required, the swordsmen and maidens, 
who departed from around her, seemed the guards and the train of 
some princess, who, dismissed by her signal, were leaving her for a time 
to solitude. Her oavh look and attitude, wrapped, as she probably was, 
in some vision of the imagination, corresponded admirably with the 
ideal dignity which the spectators ascribed to her ; but almost imme- 
diately recollecting herself, she blushed, as if conscious she had been, 
though but for an instant, the object of undivided attention, and gave 
her hand gracefully to Cleveland, who, though he had not joined in 
the dance, assumed the duty of conducting her to her seat. 

As they passed, Mordaunt Mertoun might observe that Cleveland 
whispered into Minna's ear, and that her brief reply was accompanied 
with even more discomposure of countenance than she had manifested 
when encountering the gaze of the whole assembly. Mordaunt's sus- 
picions were strongly awakened by what he observed, for he knew 
Minna's character well, and with what equanimity and indifference 
she was in the custom of receiving the usual compliments and gal- 
lantries with which her beauty and her situation rendered her suffi- 
ciently familiar. 

"Can it be possible she really loves this stranger?" was the un- 
pleasant thought that instantly shot across Mordaunt's mind ; — " And 
if she does, what is my interest in the matter 2" was the second ; and 
which was quickly followed by the reflection, that though he claimed 
no interest at any time but as a friend, and though that interest was 
now withdrawn, he was still, in consideration of their former intimacy, 
entitled both to be sorry and angry at her for throwing away her affec- 
tions on one he judged unworthy of her. In this process of reasoning, 
it is probable that a little mortified vanity, or some indescribable shade 
of selfish regret, might be endeavouring to assume the disguise of dis- 
interested generosity; but there is so much of base alloy in our very 
best (unassisted) thoughts, that it is melancholy work to criticise too 
closely the motives of our most worthy actions; at least we would 



118 THE PIRATE. 



Trent. 



recommend to every one to let those of his neighbours pass current, 
however narrowly he may examine the purity of his own. 

The sword-dance was succeeded by various other specimens of the 
same exercise, and by songs, to which' the singers lent their whole soul 
while the audience were sure, as occasion offered, to unite in some 
favourite chorus. It is upon such occasions that music, though of a 
simple and even rude character, finds its natural empire over the 
generous bosom, and produces that strong excitement which cannot be 
attained by the most learned compositions of the first masters, which 
are caviare to the common ear, although, doubtless, they afford a de- 
light, exquisite in its kind, to those whose natural capacity and educa- 
tion have enabled them to comprehend and relish those difficult and 
complicated combinations of harmony. 

It was about midnight when a knocking at the door of the mansion, 
with the sound of the Gue and the Langspiel, announced, by their 
tinkling chime, the arrival of fresh revellers, to whom, according to 
the hospitable custom of the country, the apartments were instantly 
thrown open. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

My mind misgives, 

Some consequence, yet banging in the stars, 
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date 
With this night's revels. 

Romeo and Juliet. 

The new comers were, according to the frequent custom 'of such 
frolickers all over the world, disguised in a sort of masquing habits, 
and designed to represent the Tritons and Mermaids with whom ancient 
tradition and popular belief have peopled the northern seas. The 
former called, by Zetlanders of that_ time, Shoupeltins ; were repre- 
sented by young men grotesquely habited, with false hair, and beards 
made of flax, and chaplets composed of sea-ware interwoven with shells 
and other marine productions, with which also were decorated^ their 
light-blue or greenish mantles of wadmaal repeatedly before mentioned. 
They had fish-spears and other emblems of their assumed quality, 
amongst which the classical taste of Claud Halcro, by whom the masque 
was arranged, had not forgotten the conch-shells, which were stoutly 
and hoarsely winded, from time to time, by one or two of the aquatic 
deities, to the great annoyance of all who stood near them. 

The Nereids and Water-nymphs who attended on this occasion dis- 
played, as usual, a little more taste and ornament than was to be seen 
amongst their male attendants. Fantastic garments of green silk and 
other materials of superior cost and fashion had been contrived, so as 
to imitate their idea of the inhabitants of the waters, and at the same 
time to show the shape and features of the fair Avearers to the best 
advantage. The bracelets and shells, which adorned the neck, arms, 
and ankles of the pretty Mermaidens, were in some cases intermixed 
with real pearls ; and the appearance, upon the whole, was such as 



THE FXRATB. 119 

might have done no discredit to the court of Amphitrite, especially when 
the long bright locks, blue eyes, fair complexions, and pleasing features 
of the maidens of Thule were taken into consideration. We do not 
indeed pretend to aver that any of these seeming Mermaids had so 
accurately imitated the real siren as commentators have supposed 
those attendant on Cleopatra did, who, adopting the fish's train of 
their original, were able, nevertheless, to make their "bends," or 
"ends" (said commentators cannot tell which), " adornings." x Indeed, 
had they not left their extremities in their natural state, it would have 
been impossible for the Zetland sirens to have executed the very pretty 
dance with which they rewarded the company for the ready admission 
which had been granted to them. 

It was soon discovered that these masquers were no strangers, but a 
part of the guests, who, stealing out a little time before, had thus dis- 
guised themselves, in order to give variety to the mirth of the evening. 
The muse of Claud Halcro, always active on such occasions, had sup- 
plied them with an appropriate song, of which we may give the follow- 
ing specimen. The song was alternate betwixt a Nereid or Mermaid, 
and a Merman or Triton — the males and females on either part forming 
a semi-chorus, which accompanied and bore burden to the principal 

I. 

MERMAID. 

Fathoms deep beneath the wave, 

Stringing beads of glistering pearl, 
Singing the achievements brave 

Of many an old Norwegian earl ; 
Dwelling where the tempest's raving 

Falls as light upon our ear, 
As the sigh of lover, craving, 

Pity from his lady dear; 
Children of wild Thule, we, 
From the deep caves of the sea, 
As the lark springs from the lea, 
Hither come, to share your glee. 

II. 

MERMAN. 

From reining of the water-horse, 

That bounded till the waves were foaming, 
Watching the infant tempest's course, 

Chasing the sea-snake in his roaming ; 
From winding charge-notes on the shell, 

When the huge whale and sword-fish duel, 
Or tolling shroudless seamen's knell, 

When the winds and waves are cruel; 
Children of wild Thule, we 
Have plough' d such furrows on the sea, 
As the steer draws on the lea, 
And hither we come to share your glee. 
III. 

MEKMAIDS AND MERMEN. 

We heard you in our twilight caves, 

A hundred fathom deep below, 
For notes of joy can pierce the waves, 

That drown each sound of war and woe. 

l See some admirable discussion on this passage in the Variorum Shakspearei 






120 THE PIRATE. 

Those who dwell beneath the sea 

Lore the sons of Thule well; 
Thus, to aid your mirth, bring we 

Dance, and song, and sounding shelL 
Children of dark Thule, know 
Those who dwell by haaf and voe, 
Where your daring shallops row, 
Come to share the festal show. 

The final chorus was borne by the whole voices, excepting those 
carrying the conch-shells, who had been trained to blow them in a sort 
of rude accompaniment, which had a good effect. The poetry, as well 
as the performance of the masquers, received great applause from all 
who pretended to be judges of such matters ; but above all, from Trip- 
tolemus Yellowley, who, his ear having caught the agricultural sounds 
of plough and furrow, and his brain being so well drenched that it 
could only construe the words in their most literal acceptation, declared 
roundly, and called Mordaunt to bear witness, that, though it was a 
shame to waste so much good lint as went to form the Tritons' beards 
and periwigs, the song contained the only words of common sense which 
he had heard all that long day. 

But Mordaunt had no time to answer the appeal, being engaged in 
attending with the utmost vigilance to the motions of one of the female 
masquers, who had given him a private signal as they entered, which 
induced him, though uncertain who she might prove to be, to expect 
some communication from her of importance. The siren who had so 
boldly touched his arm, and had accompanied the gesture with an ex- 
pression of eye which bespoke his attention, was disguised with a good 
deal more care than her sister-masquers, her mantle being loose, and 
wide enough to conceal her shape completely, and her face hidden be- 
neath a silk masque. He observed that she gradually detached herself 
from the rest of the masquers, and at length placed herself, as if for the 
advantage of the air, near the door of a chamber which remained open, 
looked earnestly at him again, and then, taking an opportunity when 
the attention of the company was fixed ivpon the rest of her party, she 
left the apartment. 

Mordaunt did not hesitate instantly to follow his mysterious guide, 
for such we may term the masquer, as she paused to let him see the 
direction she was about to take, and then walked swiftly towards the 
shore of the voe, or salt-water lake, now lying full before them, its 
small summer-waves glistening and rippling under the influence of a 
broad moonlight, which, added to the strong twilight of those regions 
during the summer solstice, left no reason to regret the absence of the 
sun, the path of whose setting was still visible on the waves of the 
west, while the horizon on the east side was already beginning to 
glimmer with the lights of dawn. 

Mordaunt had therefore no difficulty in keeping sight of his disguised 
guide, as she tripped it over height and hollow to the sea-side, and, 
winding among the rocks, led the way to the spot where his own laoours, 
during the time of his former intimacy at Burgh-Westra, had con- 
structed a sheltered and solitary seat, where the daughters of Magnus 
were accustomed to spend, when the weather was suitable, a good deal 
of their time. Here, then, was to be the place of explanation ; for the 



THE PIRATE. 121 

masquer stopped, and, after a moment's hesitation, sat down on the 
rustic settle. But from the lips of whom was he to receive it 1 Noma 
had first occurred to him ; but her tall figure and slow majestic step 
were entirely different from the size and gait of the more fairy-formed 
siren, who had preceded him with as light a trip as if she had been a 
real N ereid, who, having remained too late upon the shore, was, under 
the dread of Amphitrite's displeasure, hastening to regain her native 
element. Since it was not Noma, it could be only, he thought, Brenda, 
who thus singled him out ; and when she had seated herself upon the 
bench, and taken the mask from her face, Brenda it accordingly proved 
to be. Mordaunt had certainly done nothing to make him dread her 
presence ; and yet, such is the influence of bashfulness over the ingenu- 
ous youth of both sexes, that he experienced all the embarrassment of 
one who finds himself unexpectedly placed before a person who is justly 
offended with him. Brenda felt no less embarrassment; but as she 
had courted this interview, and was sensible it must be a brief one, she 
was compelled, in spite of herself, to begin the conversation. 

" Mordaunt," she said, with a hesitating voice ; then correcting her- 
self, she proceeded — " You must be surprised, Mr Mertoun, that I 
should have taken this uncommon freedom." 

" It was not till this morning, Brenda," replied Mordaunt, that any 
mark of friendship or intimacy from you or from your sister could 
have surprised me. I am far more astonished that you should shun me 
without reason for so many horns, than that you should now allow me an 
interview. In the name of Heaven, Brenda, in what have I offended 
you ? or why are we on these unusual terms ?" 

" May it not be enough to say," replied Brenda, looking downward, 
" that it is my father's pleasure ?" 

"No, it is not enough," returned Mertoun. "Your father cannot 
have so suddenly altered his whole thoughts of me, and his whole ac- 
tions towards me, without acting under the influence of some strong 
delusion. I ask you but to explain of what nature it is ; for I will be 
contented to be lower in your esteem than the meanest hind in these 
islands if I cannot show that his change of opinion is only grounded 
upon some infamous deception, or some extraordinary mistake." 

" It may be so," said Brenda — " I hope it is so — that I do hope it it 
so, my desire to see you thus in private may well prove to you. But is 
is difficult — in short it is impossible for me to explain to you the cause 
of my father's resentment. Noma has spoken with him concerning it 
boldly, and I fear they parted in displeasure ; and you well know no 
light matter could cause that." 

" I have observed," said Mordaunt, " that your father is most at- 
tentive to Noma's counsel, and more complaisant to her peculiarities 
than to those of others — this I have observed, though he is no willing 
believer in the supernatural qualities to which she lays claim." 

" They are related distantly," answered Brenda, " and were friends 
in youth — nay, as I have heard, it was once supposed they would have 
been married ; but Noma's peculiarities showed themselves immedi- 
ately on her father's death, and there was an end of that matter, if ever 
there was anything in it. But it is certain my father regards her with 
much interest ; and it is, I fear, a sign how deeply his prejudices re- 



122 THE PIRATE. 

specting you must be rooted, since they have in some degree quarrelled 
on your account." 

" Now, blessings upon you, Brenda, that you have called them preju- 
dices," said Mertoun warmly, and nastily — " a thousand blessings on 
you ! You were ever gentle-hearted— you could not have maintained 
even the show of unkindness long." 

" It was indeed but a show," said Brenda, softening gradually into 
the familiar tone in which they had conversed from infancy ; " I could 
never think, Mordaunt, — never, that is, seriously believe, that you 
could say aught unkind of Minna or of me." 

" And who dares to say I have ?" said Mordaunt, giving way to the 
natural impetuosity of his disposition — " Who dares to say that I have, 
and ventures at the same time to hope that I will suffer his tongue to 
remain in safety betwixt his jaws? By Saint Magnus the Martyr, I 
will feed the hawks with it !" 

" Nay, now," said Brenda, "your anger only terrifies me, and will 
force me to leave you." 

"Leave me," said he, "without telling either the calumny, or the 
name of the villanous calumniator !" 

" Oh, there are more than one," answered Brenda, " that have pos- 
sessed my father with an opinion — which I cannot myself tell you — 
but there are more than one who say " 

" Were they hundreds, Brenda, I will do no less to them than I have 
said — Sacred Martyr ! — to accuse me of speaking unkindly of those whom 
I most respected and valued under Heaven — I will back to the apart- 
ment this instant, and your father shall do me right before all the world." 

" Do not go, for the love of Heaven 1" said Brenda ; " do not go, as 
you would not render me the most unhappy wretch in existence ! 

" Tell me then, at least, if I guess aright," said Mordaunt, " when 
I name this Cleveland for one of those who have slandered me 1" 

"No, no," said Brenda, vehemently, "you run from one error into 
another more dangerous. You say you are my friend ; — I am willing 
to be yours : — be still for a moment, and hear what I have to say ; — 
our interview has lasted but too long already, and every additional 
moment brings additional danger with it." 

" Tell me, then," said Mertoun, much softened by the poor girl's 
extreme apprehension and distress, "what it is that you require of me ; 
and believe me, it is impossible for you to ask aught that I will not do 
my very uttermost to comply with." 

" Well, then— this Captain," said Brenda, "this Cleveland " 

" I knew it, by Heaven !" said Mordaunt ; " my mind assured me 
that that fellow was, in one way or other, at the bottom of all this mis- 
chief and misunderstanding." 

"If you cannot be silent and patient for an instant" replied 
Brenda, " I must instantly quit you : what I meant to say had no re- 
lation to you, but to another, — in one word, to my sister Minna. I 
have nothing to say concerning her dislike to you, but an anxious tale 
to tell concerning his attention to her." 

" It is obvious, striking, and marked," said Mordaunt ; "and, un- 
less my eyes deceive me, it is received as welcome, if, indeed, it is not 
returned.' 1 



THE PIRATE. 123 

" That is the very cause of my fear," said Brenda. " I, too, was struck 
with the external appearance, frank manners, and romantic conversa- 
tion of this man." 

" His appearance !" said Mordaunt ; "he is stout and well-featured 
enough, to be sure ; but, as old Sinclair of Quendale said to the Spanish 
admiral, ' Farcie on his face ! I have seen many a fairer hang on the 
Borough-moor.' — From his manners, he might be captain of a priva- 
teer ; and by his conversation, the trumpeter to his own puppetshow ; 
for he speaks of little else than his own exploits." 

" You are mistaken," answered Brenda ; " he speaks but too well on 
all that he has seen and learned ; besides, he has really been in many 
distant countries, and in many gallant actions, and he can tell them 
with as much spirit as modesty. You would think you saw the flash 
and heard the report of the guns. And he has other tones of talking 
too — about the delightful trees and fruits of distant climates ; and 
how the people wear no dress through the whole year half so warm 
as our summer gowns, and, indeed, put on little except cambric and 
muslin." 

" Upon my word, Brenda, he does seem to understand the business 
of amusing young ladies," replied Mordaunt. 

" He does indeed " said Brenda, with great simplicity. " I assure 
you that, at first, I liked him better than Minna did ; and yet, though 
she is so much cleverer than I am, I know more of the world than she 
does ; for I have seen more of cities, having been once at Kirkwall ; 
besides that, I was thrice at Lerwick when the Dutch ships were there, 
and so I should not be very easily deceived in people." 

"And pray, Brenda," said Mertoun. "what was it that made you 
think less favourably of this young fellow, who seems to be so cap- 
tivating ! " 

"Why," said Brenda, after a moment's reflection, "at first he was 
much livelier ; and the f stories he told were not quite so melancholy, or 
so terrible ; and he laughed and danced more." 

"And, perhaps, at that time, danced oftener with Brenda than with 
her sister V* added Mordaimt. 

"No— I am not sure of that," said Brenda; "and yet, to speak 
plain, I could have no suspicion of him at all while he was attending 
quite equally to us both ; for you know that then he could have been 
no more to us than yourself, Mordaunt Mertoun, or young Swaraster, 
or any other young man in the islands." 

"But why, then," said Mordaunt, "should you not see him, with 
patience, become acquainted with your sister? — He is wealthy, or seems 
to be so at least. You say he is accomplished and pleasant ; — what else 
would you desire in a lover for Minna ? " 

" Mordaunt, you forget who we are," said the maiden, assuming an 
air of consequence^ which sat as gracefully upon her simplicity as did 
the different tone in which she had spoken hitherto. " This is a little 
world of ours, this Zetland, inferior, perhaps, in soil and climate to 
other parts of the earth, at least so strangers say ; but it is our own 
little world, and we, the daughters of Magnus Troil, hold a first rank 
in it. It would, I think, little become us, who are descended from sea- 
kings and Jarls, to throw ourselves away upon a stranger who comes 



124 THE PIRATE. 

to our coast, like the eider-duck in spring, from we know not whence, 
and may leave it in autumn, to go we know not where." 

" And who may ne'ertheless entice a Zetland golden-eye to accom- 
pany his migration," said Mertoun. 

" I will hear nothing light on such a subject," replied Brenda, indig- 
nantly ; " Minna, like myself, is the daughter of Magnus Troil, the 
friend of strangers, but the Father of Hialtland. He gives them the 
hospitality they need ; but let not the proudest of them think that 
they can, at their pleasure, ally with his house." 

She said this in a tone of considerable warmth, which she instantly 
softened, as she added, " No, Mordaunt, do not suppose that Minna 
Troil is capable of so far forgetting what she owes to her father and her 
father's blood as to think of marrying this Cleveland ; but she may 
lend an ear to him so long as to destroy her future happiness. She has 
that sort of mind into which some feelings sink deeply ; — you remem- 
ber how Ulla Storlson used to go, day by day, to the top of Vossdale-head, 
to look for her lover's ship that was never to return ? When I think 
of her slow step, her pale cheek, her eye that grew dimmer and dimmer, 
like the lamp that is naif-extinguished for lack of oil, — when I remem- 
ber the fluttered look of something like hope with which she ascended 
the cliff at morning, and the deep dead despair which sat on her fore- 
head when she returned, — when I think on all this, can you wonder 
that I fear for Minna, whose heart is formed to entertain, with such 
deep-rooted fidelity, any affection that may be implanted in it?" 

" I do not wonder," said Mordaunt, eagerly sympathising with the 
poor girl ; for, besides the tremulous expression of her voice, the light 
could almost show him the tear which trembled in her eye, as she drew 
the picture to which her fancy had assimilated her sister, — " I do not 
wonder that you should feel and fear whatever the purest affection can 
dictate ; and if you can but point out to me in what I can serve your 
sisterly love, you shall find me as ready to venture my life, if necessary, 
as I have been to go out on the crag to get you the eggs of the guille- 
mot ; and, believe me, that whatever has been told to your father or 
yourself of my entertaining the slightest thoughts of disrespect or un- 
kindness, is as false as a fiend could devise." 

" I believe it," said Brenda, giving him her hand ; " I believe it, and 
my bosom is lighter, now I have renewed my confidence in so old a 
friend. How you can aid us, I know not ; but it was by the advice, I 
may say by the commands, of Noma, that I have ventured to make this 
communication ; and I almost wonder," she added, as she looked around 
her, " that I have had courage to carry me through it. At present you 
know all that I can tell you of the risk in which my sister stands. 
Look after this Cleveland — beware how you quarrel with him, since you 
must so surely come by the worst with an experienced soldier." 

" I do not exactly understand," said the youth, "how that should so 
surely be. This I know, that with the good limbs and good heart that 
God hath given me — ay ; and with a good cause to boot — I am little 
afraid of any quarrel winch Cleveland can fix upon me." 

" Then, if not for your own sake, for Minna s sake," said Brenda — 
" for my father's — for mine — for all our sakes, avoid any strife with 
him, but be contented to watch him, and, if possible, to discover who 



THE PIRATE. 125 

he is, and what are his intentions towards us. He has talked of going 
to Orkney, to inquire after the consort with whom he sailed ; but day- 
after day and Aveek after week passes and he goes not ; and while he 
keeps my father company over the bottle, and tells Minna romantic 
stories of foreign people and distant wars in wild and unknown regions, 
the time glides on, and the stranger, of whom we know nothing except 
that he is one, becomes gradually closer and more inseparably intimate 
in our society. — And now, farewell. Noma hopes to make your peace 
with my father, and entreats you not to leave Burgh-Westra to-morrow, 
however cold he and my sister may appear towards you. I too,' ' she said, 
stretching her hand towards him, " must wear a face of cold friendship as 
towards an unwelcome visitor, but at heart we are still Brenda and Mor- 
daunt. And now separate quickly, for we must not be seen together." 

She stretched her hand to him, but withdrew it in some slight con- 
fusion, laughing and blushing, when, by a natural impulse, he was about 
to press it to his lips. He endeavoured for a moment to detain her, for 
the interview had for him a degree of fascination which, as often as he 
had before been alone with Brenda, he had never experienced. But she 
extricated herself from him, and again signing an adieu, and pointing- 
out to him a path different from that which she was herself about to 
take, tripped towards the house, and was soon hidden from his view by 
the acclivity. 

Mordaunt stood gazing after her in a state of mind to which, as yet, 
he had been a stranger. The dubious neutral ground between love 
and friendship may be long and safely trodden, until he who stands 
upon it is suddenly called upon to recognise the authority of the one 
or the other power ; and then it most frequently happens that the party 
who fur years supposed himself only to be a friend, finds himself at once 
transformed into a lover. That such a change in Mordaunt' s feelings 
should take place from this date, although he himself was unable exactly 
to distinguish its nature, was to be expected. He found himself at once 
received, with the most unsuspicious frankness, into the confidence of a 
beautiful and fascinating young woman, by whom he had, so short a 
time before, imagined himself despised and disliked ; and, if anything 
could make a change, in itself so surprising and so pleasing, yet more 
intoxicating, it was the guileless and open-hearted simplicity of Brenda 
that cast an enchantment over everything which she did or said. The 
scene, too, might have had its effect, though there was little occasion 
for its aid. But a fair face looks yet fairer under the light of the moon, 
and a sweet voice sounds yet sweeter among the whispering sounds of a 
summer night. Mordaunt, therefore, who had by this time returned 
to the house, was disposed to listen with unusual patience and compla- 
cency to the enthusiastic declamation pronounced upon moonlight by 
Claud Halcro, whose ecstasies had been awakened on the subject by a 
short turn in the open air, undertaken to qualify the vapours of the 
good liquor, which he had not spared during the festival. 

"The sun, my boy," he said, "is every wretched labourer's day- 
lantern— it comes glaring yonder, out of the east, to summon up a 
whole world to labour and to misery ; whereas the merry moon lights 
all of us to mirth and to love." 

" And to madness, or she is much belied," said Mordaunt, by way of 
saying something. 



126 THE PIRATE. 

" Let it be so," answered Halcro, " so she does not turn us melan- 
choly-mad. — My dear young friend, the folks of this painstaking world 
are far too anxious about possessing all their wits, or having them, as 
they say, about them. At least I know I have been often called half- 
witted, and I am sure I have gone through the world as well as if I had 
double the quantity. But stop — where was 1 1 Oh, touching and con- 
cerning the moon — why, man, she is the very soul of love and poetry. 
I question if there was ever a true lover in existence who had not got 
at least as far as ' thou,' in a sonnet in her praise." 

" The moon," said the factor, who was now beginning to speak very 
thick, "ripens corn, at least the old folk said so — and she fills nuts also, 
whilk is of less matter — sparge nuces, pueri" 

" A fine, a fine," said the Udaller, who was now in his altitudes ; "the 
factor speaks Greek — by the bones of my holy namesake, Saint Magnus, 
he shall drink off the yawl full of punch unless he gives us a song on 
the spot !" 

" Too much water drowned the miller," answered Triptolemus. "My 
brain has more need of draining than of being drenched with more 
liquor." 

" Sing, then," said the despotic landlord, " for no one shall speak any 
other language here, save honest Norse, jolly Dutch, or Danske, or broad 
Scots, at the least of it. So, Eric Scambester, produce the yawl, and 
fill it to the brim, as a charge for demurrage." 

Ere the vessel could reach the agriculturist, he, seeing it under way, 
and steering towards him by short tacks (for Scambester himself was by 
this time not over steady in his course), made a desperate effort, and 
began to chant, or rather to croak forth, a Yorkshire harvest-home 
ballad which his father used to sing when he was a little mellow, and 
which went to the tune of " Hey Dobbin, away with the waggon." The 
rueful aspect of the singer, and the desperately discordant tones of his 
voice, formed so delightful a contrast with the jollity of the words and 
tune, that honest Triptolemus afforded the same sort of amusement 
which a reveller might give by appearing on a festival-day in the holi- 
day coat of his grandfather. The jest concluded the evening, for even 
the mighty and strong-headed Magnus himself had confessed the influ- 
ence of the sleepy god. The guests went off as they best might, each to 
his separate crib and resting-place, and in a short time the mansion, 
which was of late so noisy, was hushed into perfect silence. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

They man their boats, and all the young men arm 
With whatsoever might the monsters harm; 
Pikes, halberds, spits, and darts, that wound afar, 
The tools of peace and implements of war. 
Now was the time for vigorous lads to show 
What love or honour could incite them to: — 
A goodly theatre, where rocks are round 
With reverend age, and lovely lasses crown'd. 

Battle of the Bummer Islands, 

The morning which succeeds such a feast as that of Magnus Troil 
usually lacks a little of the zest which seasoned the revels of the pre- 



THE PIRATE. 127 

ceding day, as the fashionable reader may have observed at a public 
breakfast during the race- week in a country-town; for, in what is 
called the best society, these lingering moments are usually spent by 
the company each apart in their own dressing-rooms. At Burgh- Westra, 
it will readily be believed, no such space for retirement was afforded ; 
and the lasses, with their paler cheeks, the elder dames, with many a 
wink and yawn, were compelled to meet wifti their male companions 
(headaches and all) just three hours after they had parted from each 
other. 

Eric Scambester had done all that man could do to supply the full 
means of diverting the ennui of the morning meal. The board groaned 
with rounds of hung beef, made after the fashion of Zetland— with 
pasties— with baked meats— with fish, dressed and cured in every pos- 
sible manner — nay, with the foreign delicacies of tea, coffee, and choco- 
late ; for, as we have already had occasion to remark, the situation of 
these islands made them early acquainted with various articles of foreign 
luxury which were as yet but little known in Scotland, where, at a 
much later period than that we write of, one pound of green tea was 
dressed like cabbage, and another converted into a vegetable sauce for 
salt beef, by the ignorance of the good housewives to whom they had 
been sent as rare presents. 

Besides these preparations, the table exhibited whatever mighty 
potions were resorted to by tons vivans, under the facetious name of a 
" hair of the dog that bit you." There was the potent Irish Usque- 
baugh — right Nantz — genuine Schiedamm — Aquavitse from Caithness — 
and golden Wasser from Hamburgh ; there was rum of formidable 
antiquity, and cordials from the Leeward Islands. After these details, 
it were needless to mention the stout home-brewed ale, the German 
mum, and Schwartz beer, — and still more would it be beneath our dig- 
nity to dwell upon the innumerable sorts of pottage and flummery, 
together with the bland and various preparations of milk for those who 
preferred thinner potations. 

No wonder that the sight of so much good cheer awakened the appe- 
tite and raised the spirits of the fatigued revellers. The young men 
began immediately to seek out their partners of the preceding evening, 
and to renew the small-talk which had driven the night so merrily, 
away ; while Magnus, with his stout old Norse kindred, encouraged, 
by precept and example, those of elder days and graver mood to a 
substantial flirtation with the good things before them. Still, however, 
there was a long period to be filled up before dinner ; for the most pro- 
tracted breakfast cannot well last above an hour ; and it was to be 
feared that Claud Halcro meditated the occupation of this vacant 
morning with a formidable recitation of his own verses, besides telling, 
at its full length, the whole history of his introduction to glorious John 
Dryden. But fortune relieved the guests of Burgh-Westra from this 
threatened infliction, by sending them means of amusement peculiarly 
suited to their taste and habits. 

Most of the guests were using their toothpicks, some were beginning 
to talk of what was to be done next, when, with haste, in his step, fire 
in his eye, and a harpoon in his hand, Eric Scambester came to an- 
nounce to the company that there was a whale on shore, or nearly so, 



128 THE PIRATE. 



t iovoi 



at the throat of the voe. Then you might have seen such a joy 01 
boisterous, and universal bustle, as only the love of sport, so deei 
implanted in our nature, can possibly inspire. A set of country squir 
about to beat for the first woodcocks of the season, were a comparis 
as petty in respect to the glee, as in regard to the importance of t 
object; the battue upon a strong cover in Ettrick Forest, for the ( 
struction of the foxes ; the insurrection of the sportsmen of the Lennc 
when one of the Duke's deer gets out from Inch-Mirran; nay, 1 
joyous rally of the fox-chase itself, with all its blithe accompanimei 
of hound and horn, fall infinitely short of the animation with whi 
the gallant sons of Thule set off to encounter the monster whom 1 
sea had sent for their amusement at so opportune a conjuncture. 

The multifarious stores of Burgh-Westra were rummaged hastily 
all sorts of arms which could be used on such an occasion. Harpoo 
swords, pikes, and halberds fell to the lot of some ; others contenl 
themselves with hay-forks, spits, and whatever else could be found tl 
was at once long and sharp. Thus hastily equipped, one divisi< 
under the command of Captain Cleveland, hastened to man the bo 
which lay in the little haven, while the rest of the party hurried 
land to the scene of action. 

Poor Triptolemus was interrupted in a plan which he too had fom 
against the patience of the Zetlanders, and which was to have consis 
in a lecture upon the agriculture and the capabilities of the count 
by this sudden hubbub, which put an end at once to Halcro's poe 
and to his no less formidable prose. It may be easily imagined that 
took very little interest in the sport which was so suddenly substitu 
for his lucubrations, and he would not even have deigned to have lool 
upon the active scene which was about to take place had he not b< 
stimulated thereunto by the exhortations of Mistress _ Baby. " . 
yoursell forward, man," said that provident person, " pit yoursell i 
ward — wha kens where a blessing may light ? — they say that a' n 
share and share equals-aquals in the creature's ulzie, and a pint o't v 
be worth siller, to light the cruize in the lang dark nights that tl . 
speak of. Pit yoursell forward, man — there's a graip to ye — faint he 
never wan fair lady — wha kens but what, when it's fresh, it may I 
weel eneugh, and spare butter ?" 

What zeal was added to Triptolemus' s motions by the prospect 
eating fresh train-oil instead of butter we know not ; but, as bet 
might not be, he brandished the rural implement (a stable-fork) w 
which he was armed, and went down to wage battle with the whale. 

The situation in which the enemy's ill fate had placed him was p 
ticularly favourable to the enterprise of the islanders. A tide of 
usual height had carried the animal over a large bar of sand, into 1 
voe or creek in which he was now lying. So soon as he found the wa 
ebbing, he became sensible of his danger, and had made desperate effc 
to get over the shallow water, where the waves broke on the bar ; 1 
hitherto he had rather injured than mended his condition, having 1 
himself partly aground, and lying therefore particularly exposed to ■ 
meditated attack. At this moment the enemy came down upon h: 
The front ranks consisted of the young and hardy, armed in the n 
cellaneous manner we have described : while, to witness and anim; 






THE PIRATE. 129 

heir efforts, the young women, and the elderly persons of both sexes, 
ook their place among the rocks which overhung the scene of action. 

As the boats had to double a little headland ere they opened the 
nouth of the voe, those who came by land to the shores of the inlet had 
ime to make the necessary reconnoissances upon the force and situa- 
tion of the enemy, on whom they were about to commence a simulta- 
aeous attack by land and sea. 

This duty the stout-hearted and experienced general, for so the 
(Jdaller might be termed, would intrust to no eyes but his own ; and, 
indeed, his external appearance and his sage conduct rendered him 
alike qualified for the command which he enjoyed. His gold-laced hat 
was exchanged for a bearskin cap, his suit of blue broadcloth, with its 
scarlet lining, and loops, and frogs of bullion, had given place to a red 
flannel jacket, with buttons of black horn, over which he wore a seal- 
skin shirt curiously seamed and plaited on the bosom, such as are used 
by the Esquimaux, and sometimes by the Greenland whale-fishers. 
Sea-boots of a formidable size completed his dress, and in his hand he 
held a large whaling-knife, which he brandished, as if impatient to em- 
ploy it in the operation of flinching the huge animal which lay before 
them, — that is, the act of separating its flesh from its bones. Upon 
closer examination, however, ne was obliged to confess that the sport 
to which he had conducted his friends, however much it corresponded 
with the magnificent scale of his hospitality, was likely to be attended 
with its own peculiar dangers and difficulties. 

The animal, upwards of sixty feet in length, was lying perfectly still, 
in a deep part of the voe into which it had weltered, and where it 
seemed to await the return of tide, of which it was probably assured by 
instinct. A council of experienced harpooners was instantly called, and 
it was agreed that an effort should be made to noose the tail of this 
torpid leviathan by casting a cable around it, to be made fast by anchors 
to the shore, and thus to secure against his escape in case the tide 
should make before they were able to despatch him. Three boats were 
destined to this delicate piece of service, one of which the Udaller him- 
self proposed to command, while Cleveland and Mertoun were to direct 
the two others. This being decided, they sat down on the strand, wait- 
ing with impatience until the naval part of the force should arrive in 
the voe. It was during this interval that Triptolemus Yellowley, after 
measuring with his eyes the extraordinary size of the whale, observed 
that, in his poor mind, " A wain with six owsen, or with sixty owsen 
either, if they were the owsen of the country, could not drag siccan 
a huge creature from the water, where it was now lying, to the sea- 
beach." 

Trifling as this remark may seem to the reader, it was connected with 
a subject which always fired the blood of the old Udaller, who, glancing 
upon Triptolemus a quick and stern look, asked him " what the devil 
it signified supposing a hundred oxen could not drag the whale upon 
the beach ?" Mr Yellowley, though not much liking the tone with 
which the question was put, felt that his dignity and his profit com- 
pelled him to answer as follows :— " Nay, sir— you know yoursell, Master 
Magnus Troil, and every one knows that knows anything, that whales 
of siccan size as may not be masterfully dragged on shore by the instru- 

i 



130 THE PIBATfi. 

mentality of one wain with six owsen are the right and property of the 
Admiral, who is at this time the same noble lord who is, moreover, 
Chamberlain of these isles." 

" And I tell you, Mr Triptolemus Yellowley," said the Udaller, " as 
I would tell your master if he were here, that every man who risks his 
life to bring that fish ashore shall have an equal share and partition, 
according to our ancient and loveable Norse custom and wont ; nay, 
if there is so much as a woman looking on that will but touch the cable, 
she will be partner with us ; ay, and more than all that, if she will 
but say there is a reason for it, we will assign a portion to the babe 
that is unborn." 

The strict principle of equity which dictated this last arrangement 
occasioned laughter among the men, and some slight confusion among 
the women. The factor, however, thought it shame to be so easily 
daunted. " Suum cuique tribuito" said he ; "I will stand for my 
lord's right and my own." 

"Will you?" replied Magnus; "then, by the Martyr's bones, you 
shall have no law of partition but that of God and Saint Olave, which 
we had before either factor, or treasurer, or chamberlain was heard 
of! — All shall share that lend a hand, and never a one else. So you, 
Master Factor, shall be busy as well as other folk, and think yourself 
lucky to share like other folk. Jump into that boat" (for the boats 
had by this time pulled round the headland), " and you, my lads, make 
way for the factor in the stern-sheets — he shall be the first man this 
blessed day that shall strike the fish." 

The loud authoritative voice, and the habit of absolute command in- 
ferred in the Udaller' s whole manner, together with the conscious want 
of favourers and backers amongst the rest of the company, rendered it 
difficult for Triptolemus to evade compliance, although he was thus 
about to be placed in a situation equally novel and perilous. He was 
still, however, hesitating, and attempting an explanation, with a voice 
in which anger was qualified by fear, and both thinly disguised under 
an attempt to be jocular, and to represent the whole as a jest, when he 
heard the voice of Baby maundering in his ear, — " Wad he lose his 
share of the ulzie, and the lang Zetland winter coming on, when the 
lightest day in December is not so clear as a moonless night in the 
Mearns ?" 

This domestic instigation, in addition to those of fear of the Udaller, 
and shame to seem less courageous than others, so inflamed the agri- 
culturist's spirits, that, he shook his graip aloft, and entered the boat 
with the air of Neptune himself, carrying on high his trident. 

The three boats destined for this perilous service now approached 
the dark mass, which lay like an islet in the deepest part of the yoe, 
and suffered them to approach without showing any sign of animation. 
Silently, and with such precaution as the extreme delicacy of the opera- 
tion required, the intrepid adventurers, after the failure of their first 
attempt, and the expenditure of considerable time, succeeded in cast- 
ing a cable around the body of the torpid monster, and in carrying the 
ends of it ashore, when an hundred hands were instantly employed in 
securing them. Jiut ere this was accomplished, the tide began to make 
fast, and the Udaller informed his assistants, that either the fish must 



THE PIRATE. 131 

be killed, or at least greatly wounded, ere the depth of water on the 
bar was sufficient to float him ; or that he was not unlikely to escape 
from their joint prowess. 

" Wherefore, said he, "we must set to work, and the factor shall 
have the honour to make the first throw." 

The valiant Triptolemus caught the word ; and it is necessary to say 
that the patience of the whale, in suffering himself to be noosed with- 
out resistance, had abated his terrors, and very much lowered the 
creature in his opinion. He protested the fish had no more wit, and 
scarcely more activity, than a black snail; and, influenced by this 
undue contempt of the adversary, he waited neither for a farther signal, 
nor a better weapon, nor a more suitable position, but, rising in his 
energy, hurled his graip with all his force against the unfortunate mon- 
ster. The boats had not yet retreated from him to the distance neces- 
sary to ensure safety when this injudicious commencement of the war 
took place. 

Magnus Troil, who had only jested with the factor, and had reserved 
the launching the first spear against the whale to some much more skil- 
ful hand, had just time to exclaim, "Mind yourselves, lads, or we are 
all swamped !" when the monster, roused at once from inactivity by 
the blow of the factor's missile, blew, with a noise resembling the ex- 
plosion of a steam-engine, a huge shower of water into the air, and at 
the same time began to lash the waves with its tail in every direction. 
The boat in which Magnus presided received the shower of brine which 
the animal spouted aloft ; and the adventurous Triptolemus, who had 
a full share of the immersion, was so much astonished and terrified by 
the "consequences of his own valorous deed, that he tumbled backwards 
amongst the feet of the people, who, too busy to attend to him, were 
actively engaged in getting the boat into shoal water, out of the whale's 
reach. Here he lay for some minutes, trampled on by the feet of the 
boatmen, until they lay on their oars to bale, when the Udaller ordered 
them to pull to shore, and land this spare hand, who had commenced 
the fishing so inauspiciously. 

While this was doing, the other boats had also pulled off to safer 
distance, and now, from these as well as from the shore, the unfortunate 
native of the deep was overwhelmed by all kinds of missiles, — harpoons 
and spears flew against him on all sides — guns were fired.— and each 
various means of annoyance plied which could excite him to exhaust 
his strength in useless rage. When the animal found that he was 
locked in by shallows on all sides, and became sensible, at the same 
time, of the strain of the cable on his body, the convulsive efforts which 
he made to escape, accompanied with sounds resembling deep and loud 
groans, would have moved the compassion of all but a practised whale- 
fisher. The repeated showers which he spouted into the air began now 
to be mingled with blood, and the waves wnich surrounded him assumed 
the same crimson appearance. Meantime the attempts of the assail- 
ants were redoubled ; but Mordaunt Mertoun and Cleveland, in par- 
ticular, exerted themselves to the uttermost, contending who should 
display most courage in approaching the monster, so tremendous in its 
agonies, and should inflict the most deep and deadly wounds upon Its 
huge bulk. 



132 THE PIRATE. 

The contest seemed at last pretty well over ; for although the animal 
continued from time to time to make frantic exertions for liberty, yet its 
strength appeared so much exhausted that, even with the assistance 
of the tide, which had now risen considerably, it was thought it could 
scarcely extricate itself. 

Magnus gave the signal to venture nearer to the whale, calling out 
at the same time, " Close in, lads, she is not half so mad now — The 
factor may look for a winter's oil for the two lamps at Harfra — Pull 
close in, lads." 

Ere his orders could be obeyed, the other two boats had anticipated 
his purpose ; and Mordaunt Mertoun, eager to distinguish himself 
above Cleveland, had with the whole strength he possessed plunged a 
half-pike into the body of the animal. But the leviathan, like a 
nation whose resources appear totally exhausted by previous losses and 
calamities, collected his whole remaining force for an effort, which 

E roved at once desperate and successful. The wound last received 
ad probably reached through his external defences of blubber, and 
attained some very sensitive part of the system ; for he roared aloud, 
as he sent to the sky a mingled sheet of brine and blood, and, snapping 
the strong cable like a twig, overset Mertoun's boat with a blow of his 
tail, shot himself, by a mighty effort, over the bar, upon which the 
tide had now risen considerably, and made out to sea, carrying with 
him a whole grove of the implements which had been planted in his 
body, and leaving behind him on the waters a dark red trace of his 
course. 

" There goes to sea your cruise of oil, Master Yellowley," said 
Magnus, " and you must consume mutton suet, or go to bed in- the 
dark." 

" per am et oleum per didi" muttered Triptolemus; "but if they 
catch me whale-fishing again, I will consent that the fish shall swallow 
me as he did Jonah." 

" But where is Mordaunt Mertoun all this while V exclaimed Claud 
Halcro ; and it was instantly perceived that the youth, who had been 
stunned when his boat was stove, was unable to swim to shore as the 
other sailors did, and now floated senseless upon the waves. 

We have noticed the strange and inhuman prejudice which rendered 
the Zetlanders of that period unwilling to assist those whom they saw 
in the act of drowning, though that is the calamity to which the 
islanders are most frequently exposed. Three men, however, soared 
above this superstition. The first was Claud Halcro, who threw him- 
self from a small rock headlong into the waves, forgetting, as he him- 
self afterwards stated, that he could not swim, and, if possessed of the 
harp of Arion, had no dolphins in attendance. The first plunge which 
the poet made in deep water reminding him of these deficiencies, lie 
was fain to cling to the rock from which he had dived, and was at length 
glad to regain the shore, at the expense of a ducking. 

Magnus Troil, whose honest heart forgot his late coolness towards 
Mordaunt when he saw the youth's danger, would instantly have 
brought him more effectual assistance, but Eric Scambester held him 
fast. 

" Ilout, sir — liout," exclaimed that faithful attendant—" Captain 



THE PIRATE. 133 

Cleveland has a grip of Mr Mordaunt— just let the twa strangers help 
ilk other, and stand by the upshot. The light of the country is not to be 
quenched for the like of them. Bide still, sir, I say — Bredness Voe is 
not a bowl of punch, that a man can be fished out of like a toast with 
a long spoon." 

This sage remonstrance would have been altogether lost upon Magnus, 
had he not observed that Cleveland had in fact jumped out of the boat 
and swam to Mertoun's assistance, and was keeping him afloat till the 
boat came to the aid of both. As soon as the immediate danger which 
called so loudly for assistance was thus ended, the honest Udaller's 
desire to render aid terminated also ; and recollecting the cause of 
offence which he had, or thought he had, against Mordaunt Mertoun, 
he shook off his butler's hold, and turning round scornfully from the 
beach, called Eric an old fool for supposing that he cared whether the 
young fellow sank or swam. 

Still, however, amid his assumed indifference, Magnus could not help 
peeping over the heads of the circle, which, surrounding Mordaunt as 
soon as he was brought on shore, were charitably employed in endeavour- 
ing to recall him to life ; and he was not able to attain the appearance 
of absolute unconcern until the young man sat up on the beach, and 
showed plainly that the accident had been attended with no material 
consequences. It was then first that, cursing the assistants for not 
giving the lad a glass of brandy, he walked sullenly away as if totally 
unconcerned in his fate. 

The women, always accurate in observing the tell-tale emotions of 
each other, failed not to remark, that when the sisters of Burgh-Westra 
saw Mordaunt immersed in the waves, Minna grew as pale as death, 
while Brenda uttered successive shrieks of terror. But though there 
were some nods, winks, and hints, that auld acquaintance were not 
easily forgot, it was, on the whole, candidly admitted, that less than such 
marks of interest could scarce have been expected when they saw the 
companion of their early youth in the act of perishing before their eyes. 

Whatever interest Mordaunt' s condition excited while it seemed 
perilous, began to abate as he recovered himself ; and when his senses 
were fully restored, only Claud Halcro, with two or three others, were 
standing by him. About ten paces off stood Cleveland — his hair and 
clothes dropping water, and his features wearing so peculiar an expres- 
sion as immediately to arrest the attention of Mordaunt. There was a 
suppressed smile on his cheek, and a look of pride in his eye, that im- 
plied liberation from a painful restraint, and something resembling 
gratified scorn. Claud Halcro hastened to intimate to Mordaunt that 
he owed his life to Cleveland ; and the youth, rising from the ground, 
and losing all other feelings in those of gratitude, stepped forward with 
his hand stretched out, to offer his warmest thanks to his preserver. 
But he stopped short in surprise as Cleveland, retreating a pace or two, 
folded his arms* on his breast, and declined to accept his proffered hand. 
He drew back in turn, and gazed with astonishment at the ungracious 
manner, and almost insulting look, with which Cleveland, who had 
formerly rather expressed a frank cordiality, or at least openness of 
bearing, now, after having thus rendered him a most important service, 
chose to receive his thanks. 



134 fcSE PlUAflE. 

" It is enough," said Cleveland, observing his surprise, " and it is 
unnecessary to say more about it. I have paid back my debt, and we 
are now equal." 

" You are more than equal with me, Captain Cleveland," answered 
Mertoun, " because you endangered your life to do for me what I did 
for you without the slightest risk ; — besides," he added, trying to give 
the discourse a more pleasant turn, " I have your rifle-gun to boot." 

" Cowards only count danger for any point of the game," said Cleve- 
land. " Danger has been my consort for life, and sailed with me on a 
thousand worse voyages ; — and for rifles, I have enough of my own, and 
you may see, when you will, which can use them best." 

There was something in the tone with which this was said that 
struck Mordaunt strongly ; it was miching malicho, as Hamlet says, and 
meant mischief. Cleveland saw his surprise, came close up to him, and 
Spoke in a low tone of voice : " Hark ye, my young brother, there is a 
custom amongst us gentlemen of fortune, that when we follow the same 
chase, and take the wind out of each other's sails, we think sixty yards 
of the sea-beach, and a brace of rifles, are no bad way of making our 
odds even." 

" I do not understand you, Captain Cleveland," said Mordaunt. 

" I do not suppose you do, — I did not suppose you would," said the 
Captain ; and, turning on his heel, with a smile that resembled a sneer, 
Mordaunt saw him mingle with the guests, and very soon beheld him 
at the side of Minna, who was talking to mm with animated features, 
that seemed to thank him for his gallant and generous conduct. 

" If it were not for Brenda," thought Mordaunt, " I almost wish he 
had left me in the voe, for no one seems to care whether I am alive or 
dead. Two rifles and sixty yards of sea-beach ; is that what he points 
at ? It may come, but not on the day he has saved my life with risk 
of his own." 

While hewas thus musing, Eric Scambester was whispering to Halcro, 
" If these two lads do not do each other a mischief, there is no faith in 
freits. Master Mordaunt saves Cleveland. — well. Cleveland, in re- 
quital, has turned all the sunshine of Burgn-Westra to his own side of 
the house ; and think what it is to lose favour in such a house as this, 
where the punch-kettle is never allowed to cool ! Well, now that 
Cleveland in his turn has been such a fool as to fish Mordaunt out of the 
voe, see if he does not give him sour sillocks for stock-fish." 

" Pshaw, pshaw !" replied the poet, " that is all old women's fancies, 
my friend Eric ; for what says glorious Dryden — sainted John, — 

' The yellow gall that in your hosom floats, 
Engenders all these melancholy thoughts.' " 

"Saint John, or Saint James either, may be mistaken in the matter," 
said Eric ; " for I think neither of them lived in Zetland. I only say, 
that if there is faith in old saws ; these two lads will do each other a 
mischief; and if they do, I trust it will light on- Mordaunt Mertoun." 

"And why, Eric Scambester," said Halcro, hastily and angrily, 
" should you wish ill to that poor young man, that is worth fifty of the 
other?" 

" Let every one roose the ford as he finds it," replied Eric ; " Master 
Mordaunt is all for wan water, like his old dog-fish of a father ; now 



THE PIRATE. 135 

Captain Cleveland, d'ye see, takes his glass, like an honest; fellow and 
a gentleman." 

" Rightly reasoned, and in thine own division," said Halcro ; and, 
breaking off their conversation, took his way back to Burgh-Westra, to 
which the guests of Magnus were now returning, discussing as they 
went, with much animation, the various incidents of their attack upon 
the whale, and not a little scandalized that it should have baffled all 
their exertions. 

" I hope Captain Donderdrecht of the Eintracht of Rotterdam will 
never hear of it," said Magnus : " he would swear, donner and blitzen, 
we were only fit to fish flounders." 1 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

And helter-skelter have I rode to thee, 
And tidings do I hring, and lucky joys, 
And golden times, and happy news of price. 

Ancient Pistol. 

Fortune, who seems at times to bear a conscience, owed the hospit- 
able Udaller some amends, and accordingly repaid to Burgh-Westra 
the disappointment occasioned by the unsuccessful whale-fishing, by 
sending thither, on the evening of the day in which that incident hap- 
pened, no less a person than the jagger ; or travelling merchant, as he 
styled himself, Bryce Snailsfoot, who arrived in great pomp, himself on 
one ponny, and his pack of goods, swelled to nearly double its usual 
size, forming the burden of another, which was led by a bare-headed 
bare-legged boy. 

As Bryce announced himself the bearer of important news, he was 
introduced to the dining-apartment, where (for that primitive age was 
no respecter of persons) he was permitted to sit down at a side-table, 
and amply supplied with provisions and good liquor ; while the atten- 
tive hospitality of Magnus permitted no questions to be put to him 
until, his hunger and thirst appeased, he announced, with the sense of 
importance attached to distant travels, that he had just yesterday 
arrived at Lerwick from Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, and would 
have been here yesterday, but it blew hard off the Fitful-head. 

" We had no wind here," said Magnus. 

" There is somebody has not been sleeping, then," said the pedlar, 
" and her name begins with N ; but Heaven is above all." 

" But the news from Orkney, Bryce, instead of croaking about a cap- 
ful of wind ?" 

"Such news," replied Bryce, "as has not been heard this thirty 
years— not since Cromwell's time." 

"There is not another Revolution, is there ?" said Halcro; "King 
James has not come back, as blithe as King Charlie did, has he ?" 

1 The contest about the whale will remind the poetical reader of Waller's Battle of 
the Summer Islands. 



136 THE PIRATE. 

"It's news," replied the pedlar, "that are worth twenty kings, and 
kingdoms to boot of them ; for what good did the evolutions ever do 
us ? and I dare say we have seen a dozen, great and sma\" 

" Are any Indiamen come north-about ?" said Magnus Troil. 

"Ye are nearer the mark, Fowd," said the j agger ; "but it is nae 
Indiaman, but a gallant armed vessel, chokeful of merchandise, that 
they part with so easy that a decent man like mysell can afford to give 
the country the best pennyworths you ever saw ; and that you will say 
when I open that pack, for I coimt to carry it back another sort lighter 
than when I brought it here." 

" Ay, ay, Brvce," said the Udaller, " you must have had good bar- 
gains if you sell cheap ; but what ship was it ?" 

" Cannot justly say — I spoke to nobody but the captain, who was a 
discreet man ; but she had been down on the Spanish Main, for she has 
silks and satins, and tobacco I warrant you, and wine, and no lack of 
sugar, and bonny- wallies baith of silver and gowd, and a bonny dredg- 
ing of gold dust into the bargain." 

" What like was she ?" said Cleveland, who seemed to give much at- 
tention. 

"A stout ship," said the itinerant merchant, "schooner-rigged, 
sails like a dolphin, they say, carries twelve guns, and is pierced for 
twenty " 

" Did you hear the captain's name ?" said Cleveland, speaking rather 
lower than his usual tone." 

" I just ca'd him the captain," replied Bryce Snailsfoot ; " for I make 
it a rule never to ask questions of them I deal with in the way of trade ; 
for there is many an honest captain, begging your pardon, Captain 
Cleveland, that does not care to have his name tacked to his title ; and 
as long as we ken what bargains we are making, what signifies it wha 
we are making them wi', ye ken." 

" Bryce Snailsfoot is a cautious man," said the Udaller, laughing ; 
" he knows a fool may ask more questions than a wise man cares to 
answer." 

" I have dealt with the fair traders in my day," replied Snailsfoot, 
"and I ken nae use in blurting braid out with a man's name at every 
moment ; but I Avill uphold this gentleman to be a gallant commander — 
ay, and a kind one too ; for every one of his crew is as brave in apparel 
as himself nearly — the very foremast-men have their silken scarfs ; I 
have seen many a lady wear a warse, and think hersell nae sma' drink 
— and for siller buttons, and buckles, and the lave of sic vanities, there 
is nae end of them." 

" Idiots !" muttered Cleveland between his teeth ; and then added, 
" I suppose they are often ashore, to show all their bravery to the lasses 
of Kirkwall?" 

" Ne'er a bit of that are they. The captain will scarce let them stir 
ashore without the boatswain go in the boat — as rough a tarpaulin as 
ever swab'd a deck — and you may as weel catch a cat without her claws 
as him without his cutlass and his double brace of pistols about him ; 
every man stands as much in awe of him as of the commander himsell." 

" That must be Hawkins, or the devil," said Cleveland. 

" Aweel, Captain," replied the j agger, " be he thetane or the tither, 



THE HE ATE. 137 

or a wee bit o' baith, mind it is you that give him these names, and 
not me." 

" Why, Captain Cleveland," said the Udaller, " this may prove the 
very consort you spoke of." 

" They must have had some good luck then," said Cleveland, " to 
put them in better plight than when I left them.— Did they speak of 
having lost their consort, pedlar '/" 

" In troth did they," said Bryce ; " that is, they said something 
about a partner that had gone down to Davie Jones in these seas." 

" And did you tell them what you knew of her ?" said the Udaller. 

" And wha the deevil wad hae been the fule, then," said the pedlar, 
" that I suld say sae ? When they kend what came of the ship, the 
next question wad have been about the cargo, — and ye wad not have 
had me bring down an armed vessel on the coast, to harrie the poor 
folk about a wheen rags of duds that the sea flung upon their shores ? " 

" Besides what might have been found in your own pack, you scoun- 
drel!" said Magnus Troil; an observation which produced a loud 
laugh. The Udaller could not help joining in the hilarity which ap- 
plauded his jest; but instantly composing his countenance, he said, in 
an unusually grave tone, " You may laugh, my friends ; but this is a 
matter which brings both a curse and a shame on the country ; and till 
we learn to regard the rights of them that suffer by the winds and 
waves, we shall deserve to be oppressed and hag-ridden, as we have 
been and are, by the superior strength of the strangers who rule us." 

The company hung their heads at the rebuke of Magnus Troil. Per- 
haps some, even of the better class, might be conscience-struck on their 
own account ; and all of them were sensible that the appetite for plun- 
der, on the part of the tenants and inferiors, was not at all times re- 
strained with sufficient strictness. But Cleveland made answer gaily, 
" If these honest fellows be my comrades, I will answer for them that 
they will never trouble the country about a parcel of chests, hammocks, 
and such trumpery that the Roost may have washed ashore out of my 
poor sloop. What signifies to them whether the trash went to Bryce 
Snailsfoot, or to the bottom, or to the devil 1 So unbuckle thy pack, 
Bryce, and show the ladies thy cargo, and perhaps we may see some- 
thing that will please them." 

"It cannot be his consort," said Brenda, in a whisper to her sister; 
" he would have shown more joy at their appearance." 

" It must be the vessel," answered Minna ; " I saw his eye glisten 
at the thought of being again united to the partner of his dangers." 

" Perhaps it glistened, said her sister, still apart, "at the thought 
of leaving Zetland ; it is difficult to guess the thought of the heart from 
the glance of the eve." 

" Judge not, at least, unkindly of a friend's thought," said Minna ; 
"and then, Brenda, if you are mistaken, the fault rests not with you." 

During this dialogue Bryce Snailsfoot was busied in uncoiling the 
carefully-arranged cordage of his pack, which amounted to six good 
yards of dressed sealskin, curiously complicated and secured by all 
manner of knots and buckles. He was considerably interrupted in the 
task by the Udaller and others, who pressed him with questions re- 
peating the stranger vessel. 



138 THE PIRATE. 

" Were the officers often ashore? and how were they received by the 
people of Kirkwall ?" said Magnus Troil. 

"Excellently well," answeredBryceSnailsfoot; "and the Captain and 
one or two of his men had been at some of the vanities and dances 
which went forward in the town ; but there had been some word about 
customs, or king's duties, or the like, and some of the higher folk, that 
took upon them as magistrates, or the like, had had words with the 
Captain, and he refused to satisfy them ; and then it is like he was more 
coldly looked on, and he spoke of carrying the ship round to Stromness, 
or the Langhope, for she lay under the guns of the battery of Kirkwall. 
But he" (Bryce) " thought she wad bide at Kirkwall till the summer 
fair was over, for all that." 

" The Orkney gentry," said Magnus Troil, " are always in a hurry 
to draw the Scotch collar tighter round their own necks. Is it not 
enough that we must pay scat and wattle, which were all the public 
dues under our old Norse government ; but must they come over us 
with king's dues and customs besides ? It is the part of an honest man 
to resist these things. I have done so all my life, and will do so to the 
end of it." 

There was a loud jubilee and shout of applause among the guests, 
who were (some of them at least) better pleased with Magnus Troil's 
latitudinarian principles with respect to the public revenue (which were 
extremely natural to those living in so secluded a situation, and sub- 
jected to many additional exactions), than they had been with the 
rigour of his judgment on the subject of wrecked goods. But Minna's 
inexperienced feelings carried her farther than her father, while she 
whispered to Brenda, not unheard by Cleveland, that the tame spirit of 
the Orcadians had missed every chance which late incidents had given 
them to emancipate these islands from the Scottish yoke. 
_ " Why," she said, " should we not, under so many changes as late 
times have introduced, have seized the opportunity to shake off an al- 
legiance which is not justly due from us, and to return to the protec- 
tion of Denmark, our parent country i Why should we yet hesitate to 
do this, but that the gentry of Orkney have mixed families and friend- 
ship so much with our invaders, that they have become dead to the 
throb of the heroic Norse blood, which they derived from their an- 
cestors ?" 

The latter part of this patriotic speech happened to reach the aston- 
ished ears of our friend Triptolemus, who, having a sincere devotion for 
the Protestant succession and the Revolution as established, was sur- 
prised into the ejaculation, "As the old cock crows the young cock 
learns — hen I should say, mistress, and I crave your pardon if I say 
anything amiss in either gender. But it isa happy country where the 
father declares against the king's customs, and the daughter against the 
king's crown; and, in my judgment, it can end in naething but trees 
and tows." 

" Trees are scarce among us," said Magnus ; " and for ropes, we need 
them for our rigging, and cannot spare them to be shirt collars." 

"And whoever," said the Captain, "takes umbrage at what this 
young lady says, had better keep his ears and tongue for a safer employ- 
ment than such an adventure." 



SflE MBABB. 13& 

"Ay, ay," said Triptolemus, "it helps the matter much to speak 
truths, whilk are as unwelcome to a proud stomach as wet clover to a 
cow's, in a land where lads are ready to dry the whittle if a lassie but 
looks awry. But what manners are to be expected in a country where 
folk call a pleugh-sock a markal V 

" Hark ye, Master Yellowley," said the Captain, smiling, " I hope 
my manners are not among those abuses which you come hither to re- 
form ; any experiment on them may be dangerous." 

"As well as difficult," said Triptolemus, dryly; "but fear nothing, 
Captain Cleveland, from my remonstrances. My labours regard the 
men and things of the earth, and not the men and things of the sea, — 
you are not of my element." 

" Let us be friends, then, old clod-compeller," said the Captain. 

" Clod-compeller !" said the agriculturist, bethinking himself of the 
lore of his earlier days ; " Clod-compeller pro cloud-compeller, N£(psx^*r« 
Zwt — Gr cecum est, — in which voyage came you by that phrase?" 

" I have travelled books as well as seas in my day," said the Captain ; 
" but my last voyages have been of a sort to make me forget my early 
cruises through classic knowledge. — But come here, Bryce — hast cast 
off the lashing ? — Come all hands, and let us see if he has aught in his 
cargo that is worth looking upon." 

With a proud, and, at the same time, a wily smile, did the crafty 
pedlar display a collection of wares far superior to those which usually 
filled his packages, and, in particular, some stuffs and embroideries, of 
such beauty and curiosity, fringed, flowered, and worked, with such art 
and magnificence, upon foreign and arabesque patterns, that the sight 
might have dazzled a far more brilliant company than the simple race 
of Thule. All beheld and admired, while Mistress Baby Yellowley, 
holding up her hands, protested it was a sin even to look upon such ex- 
' travagance, and worse than murder so much as to ask the price of them. 

Others, however, were more courageous ; and the prices demanded by 
the merchant, if they were not, as he himself declared, something just 
more than nothing — short only of an absolute free gift of his wares, were 
nevertheless so moderate as to show that he himself must have made 
an easy acquisition of the goods, judging by the rate at which he offered 
to part with them. Accordingly, the cheapness of the articles created 
a rapid gale ; for in Zetland, as well as elsewhere, wise folk buy more 
from the prudential desire to secure a good bargain than from any real 
occasion for the purchase. The Lady Glowrowrum bought seven petti- 
coats and twelve stomachers on this sole principle, and other matrons 
present rivalled her in this sagacious species of economy. The Udaller 
was also a considerable purchaser ; but the principal customer for what- 
ever could please the eye of beauty was the gallant Captain Cleveland, 
who rummaged the j agger's stores in selecting presents for the ladies of 
the party, in which Minna and Brenda Troil were especially remem- 
bered. 

" I fear," said Magnus Troil, " that the young women are to consider 
these pretty presents as keepsakes, and that all this liberality is only a 
sure sign we are soon to lose you ?" 

This question seemed to embarrass him to whom it was put. 

" I scarce know," he said, with some hesitation, " whether this vessel 



140 THE PIRATE. 

is my consort or no— I must take a trip to Kirkwall to make sure of that 
matter, and then I hope to return to Dunrossness to bid you all fare- 
well." 

" In that case," said the Udaller, after a moment's pause, " I think 
I may carry you thither. I should be at the Kirkwall fair to settle 
with the merchants I have consigned my fish to, and I have often pro- 
mised Minna and Brenda that they should see the fair. Perhaps also 
your consort, or these strangers, whoever they be, may have some mer- 
chandise that will suit me. I love to see my rigging-loft well stocked 
with goods, almost as much as to see it full of dancers. We will go to 
Orkney in my own brig, and I can oner you a hammock, if you will." 

The offer seemed so acceptable to Cleveland, that, after pouring him- 
self forth in thanks, he seemed determined to mark his joy by exhaust- 
ing Bryce Snailsfoot's treasures in liberality to the company. The con- 
tents of a purse of gold were transferred to the j agger with a facility 
and indifference on the part of its former owner which argued either the 
greatest profusion, or consciousness of superior and inexhaustible wealth ; 
so that Baby whispered to her brother that, " if he could afford to fling 
away money at this rate, the lad had made a better voyage in a broken 
ship than all the skippers of Dundee had made in their haill anes for a 
twelvemonth past." 

But the angry feeling in which she made this remark was much mol- 
lified when Cleveland, whose object it seemed that evening to be to buy 
golden opinions of all sorts of men, approached her with a garment 
somewhat resembling in shape the Scottish plaid, but woven of a sort of 
wool so soft that it felt to the touch as if it were composed of eider- 
down. " This," he said, "was a part of a Spanish lady's dress called a 
onantilla; as it would exactly fit the size of Mrs Baby Yellowley, and 
was very well suited for the fogs of the climate of Zetland, he entreated 
her to wear it for his sake." The lady, with as much condescending" 
sweetness as her countenance was able to express, not only consented 
to receive this mark of gallantry, but permitted the donor to arrange 
the mantilla upon her projecting and bony shoulder-blades, where, said 
Claud Halcro, " it hung, for all the world, as if it had been stretched 
betwixt a couple of cloak-pins." 

While the Captain was performing this piece of courtesy, much to 
the entertainment of the company, which, it may be presumed, was his 
principal object from the beginning, Mordaunt Mertoun made purchase 
of a small golden chaplet, with the private mtention of presenting it to 
Brenda when he should find an opportunity. The price was fixed, and 
the article laid aside. Claud Halcro also snowed some desire of possess- 
ing a silver box of antique shape for depositing tobacco, which he was 
in the habit of using in considerable quantity. But the bard seldom 
had current coin in promptitude, and, indeed, in his wandering way of 
life, had little occasion for any ; and Bryce, on the other hand, his 
having been hitherto a ready-money trade, protested that his very 
moderate profits upon such rare and choice articles would not allow of 
his affording credit to the purchaser. Mordaunt gathered the import 
of this conversation from the mode in which they whispered together, 
while the bard seemed to advance a wishful finger toAvards the box in 
question, and the cautious pedlar detained it with the weight of his 






THE PIRATE. 141 

whole hand, as if he had been afraid it would literally make itself 
wings and fly into Claud Halcro's pocket. Mordaunt Mertoun at this 
moment, desirous to gratify an old acquaintance, laid the price of the 
box on the table, and said he would not permit Master Halcro to pur- 
chase that box, as he had settled in his own mind to make him a pre- 
sent of it. 

" I cannot think of robbing you, my dear young friend," said the 
poet ; " but the truth is, that that same box does remind me strangely 
of glorious John's, out of which I had the honour to take a pinch at 
the Wits' Coffeehouse, for which I think more highly of my right-hand 
finger and thumb than any other part of my body ; only you must 
allow me to pay you back the price when my tJrkaster stock-fish come 
to market." 

" Settle that as you like betwixt you," said the j agger, taking up 
Mordaunt' s money ; " the box is bought and sold." 

" And how dare you sell over again," said Captain Cleveland, sud- 
denly interfering, " what you already have sold to me V 

All were surprised at this interjection, which was hastily made, as 
Cleveland, having turned from Mistress Baby, had become suddenly, 
and, as it seemed, not without emotion, aware what articles Bryce 
Snailsfoot was now disposing of. To this short and fierce question, the 
j agger, afraid to contradict a customer of his description, answered only 
Dy stammering, that the " Lord knew he meant nae offence." 

" How, sir ! no offence !" said the seaman, " and dispose of my pro- 
perty ?" extending his hand at the same time to the box and chaplet ; 
" restore the young gentleman's money, and learn to keep your course 
on the meridian of honesty." 

The j agger, confused and reluctant, pulled out his leathern pouch to 
repay to Mordaunt the money he had just deposited in it ; but the 
youth was not to be so satisfied. 

" The articles," he said, " were bought and sold — these were your 
own words, Bryce Snailsfoot, in Master Halcro's hearing ; and I will 
suffer neither you nor any other to deprive me of my property." 

" Your property, young man'.'" said Cleveland; "It is mine, — I 
spoke to Bryce respecting them an instant before I turned from the 
table." 

" I — I — I had not just heard distinctly," said Bryce, evidently un- 
willing to offend either party. 

"Come, come," said the Udaller, "we will have no quarrelling 
about baubles ; we shall be summoned presently to the rigging-loft," — 
so he used to call the apartment used as a ball-room, — " and we must 
all go in good humour. The things shall remain with Bryce for to- 
night, and to-morrow I will myself settle whom they shall belong to." 

The laws of the Udaller in his own house Avere absolute as those of 
the Medes. The two young men, regarding each other with looks of 
sullen displeasure, drew off in different directions. 

It is seldom that the second day of a -prolonged festival equals the 
first. The spirits, as well as the limbs, are jaded, and unequal to the 
renewed expenditure of animation and exertion; and the dance at 
Burgh-Westra was sustained with much less mirth than on the preced- . 
ing evening. It was yet an hour from midnight, when even the re- 



142 THE PIRATE. 

luctant Magnus Troil, after regretting the degeneracy of the times, 
and wishing he could transfuse into the modern Hialtlanders some of 
the vigour which still animated his own frame, found himself compelled 
to give the signal for general retreat. 

Just as tins took place, Halcro, leading Mordaunt Mertoun a little 
aside, said he had a message to him from Captain Cleveland. 

" A message !" said Mordaunt, his heart beating somewhat thick as 
he spoke — " A challenge, I suppose ?" 

" A challenge !" repeated Halcro ; " who ever heard of a challenge 
in our quiet islands ? Do you think that I look like a carrier of chal- 
lenges, and to you of all men living ? — I am none of those fighting fools, 
as glorious John calls them ; and it was not quite a message I had to 
deliver — only thus far, — this Captain Cleveland, I find, hath set his 
heart upon having these articles you looked at." 

" He shall not have them, I swear to you," replied Mordaunt Mer- 
toun. 

" Nay, but hear me," said Halcro ; " it seems that, by the marks or 
arms that are upon them, he knows that they were formerly his pro- 
perty. Now, were you to give me the box, as you promiseu, I fairly 
tell you I should give the man back his own." 

" And Brenda might do the like," thought Mordaunt to himself, 
and instantly replied aloud, " I have thought better of it, my friend. 
Captain Cleveland shall have the toys he sets such store by, but it is on 
one sole condition." 

" Nay, you will spoil all with your conditions," said Halcro ; " for, 
as glorious John says, conditions are but " 

" Hear me, I say, with patience. — My condition is, that he keeps 
the toys in exchange for the rifle-gun I accepted from him, which will 
leave no obligation between us on either side." 

" I see where you would be — this is Sebastian and Dorax all over. 
Well, you may let the j agger know he is to deliver the things to Cleve- 
land — I think he is mad to have them— and I will let Cleveland know 
the conditions annexed, otherwise honest Bryce might come by two 
payments instead of one ; and I believe his conscience would not choke 
upon it." 

With these words, Halcro went to seek out Cleveland, while Mor- 
daunt, observing Snailsfoot, who, as a sort of privileged person, had 
thrust himself into the crowd at the bottom of the dancing-room, went 
up to him and gave him directions to deliver the disputed articles to 
Cleveland as soon as he had an opportunity. 

" Ye are in the right, Maister Mordaunt," said the j agger ; " ye are 
a prudent and a sensible lad — a calm answer turneth away wrath — and 
mysell, I sail be willing to please you in ony trifling matters in my sma' 
way ; tor, between the Udaller of Burgh-Westra and Captain Cleveland, 
a man is, as it were, atween the deil and the deep sea ; and it was like 
that the Udaller, in the end, would have taken your part in the dispute, 
for he is a man that loves justice." 

" Which apparently you care very little about, Master Snailsfoot," 
said Mordaunt, " otherwise there could have been no dispute whatsoever, 
the right being so clearly on my side, if you had pleased to bear witness 
according to the dictates of truth." 






THE PIRATE. 143 

"Master Mordaunt," said the j agger, "I must own there was, as 
it were, a colouring or shadow of justice on your side ; but then the 
justice that I meddle with is only justice in the way of trade, to have 
an ellwand of due length, if it be not something worn out with leaning 
on it in my lang and painful journeys, and to buy and sell by just 
weight and measure, twenty-four merks to the lispund ; but I have 
nothing to do to do justice betwixt man and man, like a Fowd or a 
Lawright-man at a lawting lang syne." 

" No one asked you to do so, but only to give evidence according to 
your conscience," replied Mor daunt, not greatly pleased either with the 
part the j agger had acted during the dispute, or the construction which 
he seemed to put on his own motives for yielding up the point. 

But Bryce Snailsfoot wanted not his answer ; " My conscience," he 
said, " Maister Mordaunt is as tender as ony man's in my degree ; but 
she is something of a timorsome nature, cannot abide angry folk, and 
can never speak above her breath when there is aught of a fray going 
forward. Indeed, she hath at all times a small and low voice." 

" Which you are not much in the habit of listening to," said Mor- 
daunt. 

" There is that on your ain breast that proves the contrary," said 
Bryce resolutely. 

" In my breast ?" said Mordaunt, somewhat angrily, — " what know 
I of you?" . 

" 1 said on your breast, Maister Mordaunt, and not in it. I am 
sure nae eye that looks on that waistcoat upon your own gallant brisket 
but will say that the merchant who sold such a piece for four dollars 
had justice and conscience, and a kind heart to a customer to the boot 
of a' that ; sae ye shouldna be sae thrawart wi' me for having spared 
the breath of my mouth in a fool's quarrel." 

" I thrawart !" said Mordaunt ; " pooh, you silly man ! I have no 
quarrel with you." 

"I am glad of it," said the travelling merchant; "I will quarrel 
with no man, with my will— least of all with an old customer ; and if 
you will walk by my advice, you will quarrel nane with Captain Cleve- 
land. He is like one of yon cutters and slashers that have come into 
Kirkwall, that think as little of slicing a man as we do of flinching a 
whale — it's their trade to fight, and they live by it ; and they have the 
advantage of the like of you, that only take it up at your own hand, 
and in the way of pastime, when you hae nothing better to do." 

The company had now almost all dispersed ; and Mordaunt, laugh- 
ing at the j agger's caution, bade him good-night, and went to his own 
place of repose, which had been assigned to him by Eric Scambester 
(who acted the part of chamberlain as well as butler), in a small room 
or rather closet, in one of the out-houses, furnished for the occasion 
with the hammock of a sailor. 



144 THE PIRATE. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

I pass like night from land to land, 

I have strange power of speech; 
So soon as e'er his face I see, 
I know the man that must hear me, 

To him my tale I teach. 

Coleeidge's Rime of tin Ancient Manner 

The daughters of Magnus Troil shared the same bed, in a chambei 
which had been that of their parents before the death of their mother 
Magnus, who suffered grievously under that dispensation of Providence 
had become disgusted with the apartment. The nuptial chamber wa; 
abandoned to the pledges of his bereaved affection, of whom the eldes 
was at that period only four years old, or thereabouts ; and, having 
been their nursery in infancy, continued, though now tricked ana 
adorned according to the best fashion of the islands, and the taste o 
the lovely sisters themselves, to be their sleeping-room, or, in the ok 
Norse dialect, their bower. 

It had been for many years the scene of the most intimate confidence, 
if that could be called confidence where, in truth, there was nothing t< 
be confided ; where neither sister had a secret ; and where every though* 
that had birth in the bosom of the one was, without either hesitatioi 
or doubt, confided to the other as spontaneously as it had arisen. Bu 
since Cleveland abode in the mansion of Burgh-Westra, each of th« 
lovely sisters had entertained thoughts which are not lightly or easily 
communicated, unless she who listens to them has previously assured 
herself that the confidence will be kindly received. Minna had noticed, 
what other and less interested observers had been unable to perceive 
that Cleveland, namely, held a lower rank in Brenda's opinion than ii 
her own ; and Brenda, on her side, thought that Minna had hastily 
and unjustly joined in the prejudices which had been excited agains 
Mordaunt Mertoun in the mind of their father. Each was sensible 
that she was no longer the same to her sister ; and this conviction wa: 
a painful addition to other painful apprehensions which they supposeo 
they had to struggle with. Their manner toward each other was, in 

n 



outward appearances, and in all the little cares by which affection cai 
be expressed, even more assiduously kind than before, as if both, con 
scious that their internal reserve was a breach of their sisterly union 
strove to atone for it by double assiduity in those external marks o: 
affection which, at other times, when there was nothing to hide, migh 4 
be omitted without inferring any consequences. 

On the night referred to in particular, the sisters felt more especially 
the decay of the confidence which used, to exist betwixt them. The 
proposed voyage to Kirkwall, and that at the time of the fair, wher. 
persons of every degree in these islands repair thither, either for busi- 
ness or amusement, was likely to be an important incident in lives, 
usually so simple and uniform as theirs ; and a feAv months ago, Minna 
and Brenda would have been awake half the night, anticipating, in 
their talk with eacli other, all that was likely to happen on so momen- 
tous an occasion. But now the subject was just mentioned, and suffered 
to drop, as if the topic was likely to produce a difference betwixt them, 






THE PIRAT2. 145 

or to call forth a more open display of their several opinions than either 
was willing to make to the other. 

Yet such was their natural openness and gentleness of disposition, 
that each sister imputed to herself the fault that there was aught like 
estrangement existing between them ; and when, having finished their 
devotions and betaken themselves to their common couch, they folded 
each other in their arms, and exchanged a sisterly kiss, and a sisterly 
good-night, they seemed mutually to ask pardon, and to exchange for- 
giveness, although neither said a word of offence, either offered or 
received ; and both were soon plunged in that light and yet profound 
repose which is only enjoyed when sleep sinks down on the eyes of 
youth and innocence. 

On the night to which the story relates, both sisters were visited by 
dreams, which, though varied by the moods and habits of the sleepers, 
bore yet a strange general resemblance to each other. 

Minna dreamed that she was in one of the most lonely recesses of the 
beach, called Swartaster, where the incessant operation of the waves, 
indenting a calcareous rock, has formed a deep holier, which, in the 
language of the island, means a subterranean cavern, into which the 
tide ebbs and flows. Many of these run to an extraordinary and unas- 
certained depth under ground, and are the secure retreat of cormorants 
and seals, which it is neither easy nor safe to pursue to their extreme 
recesses. Amongst these, this halier of Swartaster was accounted pecu- 
liarly inaccessible, and shunned both by fowlers and by seamen, on account 
of sharp angles and turnings in the cave itself, as well as the sunken 
rocks which rendered it very dangerous for skiffs or boats to advance 
far into it, especially if there was the usual swell of an island tide. 
From the dark-browed mouth of this cavern, it seemed to Minna, in her 
dream, that she beheld a mermaid issue, not in the classical dress of a 
Nereid, as in Claud Halcro's mask of the preceding evening, but with 
comb and glass in hand, according to popular belief, and lashing the 
waves with that long scaly train, which, in the traditions of the coun- 
try, forms so frightful a contrast with the fair face, long tresses, and 
displayed bosom of a human and earthly female of surpassing beauty. 
She seemed to beckon to Minna, while her wild notes rang sadly in her 
ear, and denounced, in prophetic sounds, calamity and woe. 

The vision of Brenda was of a different description, yet equally me- 
lancholy. She sat, as she thought, in her favourite bower, surrounded 
by her father and a party of his most beloved friends, amongst whom 
Mordaunt Mertoun was not forgotten. She was required to sing ; and 
she strove to entertain them with a lively ditty, in which she was ac- 
counted eminently successful, and which she sung with such simple, yet 
natural humour, as seldom failed to produce shouts of laughter and ap- 
plause, while all who could, or who could not sing, were irresistibly 
compelled to lend their voices to the chorus. But on this occasion it 
seemed as if her own voice refused all its usual duty, and as if, while 
she felt herself unable to express the words of the well-known air, it as- 
sumed, in her own despite, the deep tones and wild and melancholy notes 
of Noma of Fitful-head, for the purpose of chanting some wild Runic 
rhyme, resembling those sung by the heathen priests of old, when the 
victim (too often human) was bound to the fatal altar of Odin or of Thor. 

K 



146 THE PIRATE. 

At length the two sisters at once started from sleep, and, uttering a 
low scream of fear, clasped themselves in each other's arms. For their 
fancy had not altogether played them false ; the sounds which had sug- 
gested their dreams were real, and sung within their apartment. They 
knew the voice well, indeed, and yet knowing to whom it belonged, their 
surprise and fear were scarce the less when they saw the well-known 
Noma of Fitful-head, seated by the chimney of the apartment, which, 
during the summer season, contained an iron lamp well-trimmed, and 
in winter a fire of wood or of turf. 

She was wrapped hi her long and ample garment of wadmaal, and 
moved her body slowly too and fro over the pale flame of the lamp, as 
she sung lines to the following purport, in a slow, sad, almost an un- 
earthly accent :— 

" For leagues along the watery way, 

Through gulf and stream my course has been; 
The billows know my Runic lay, 
And smooth their crests to silent green. 
" The billows know my Runic lay, — 

The gulf grows smooth, the stream is still; 
But human hearts, more wild than they, 
Know but the rule of wayward will. 
" One hour is mine, in all the year, 
To tell my woes, — and one alone; 
When gleams this magic lamp, 'tis here, — 
When dies the mystic light, 'tis gone. 
"Daughters of northern Magnus, hail! 
The lamp is lit, the flame is clear,— 
To you, I come to tell my talc, 
Awake, arise, my tale to hear!" 

Noma was well known to the daughters of Troil, but it was not with- 
out emotion, although varied by their respective dispositions, that they 
beheld her so unexpectedly, and at such an hour. Their opinions with 
respect to the supernatural attributes to which she pretended were ex- 
tremely different. 

Minna, with an unusual intensity of imagination, although superior 
in talent to her sister, was more apt to listen to, and delight in, every 
tale of wonder, and was at all times more willing to admit impressions 
which gave her fancy scope and exercise without minutely examining 
their reality. Brenda, on the other hand, had in her gaiety a slight 
propensity to satire, and was often tempted to laugh at the very cir- 
cumstances upon which Minna founded her imaginative dreams ; and, 
like all who love the ludicrous, she did not readily suffer herself to be 
imposed upon or overawed by pompous pretensions of any kind what- 
ever. But, as her nerves were weaker and more irritable than those of 
her sister, she often fpaid involuntary homage by her fears to ideas 
which her reason disowned ; and hence Claud Halcro used to say, in 
reference to many of the traditionary superstitions around Burgh-Westra, 
that Minna believed them without trembling, and that Brenda trembled 
without believing them. In our own more enlightened days, there are 
few whose undoubting mind and native courage have not felt Miima's 
high-wrought tone of enthusiasm; and perhaps still fewer who have 
not, at one time or other, felt, like Brenda, their nerves confess the 
iniluence of terrors which their reason disowned and despised. 



THE PIRATH. 147 

Under the power of such different feelings, Minna, when the first 
moment of surprise was over, prepared to spring from her bed and go 
to greet Noma, who, she doubted not, had come on some errand fraught 
with fate ; while Brenda, who only beheld in her a woman partially- 
deranged in her understanding, and who yet, from the extravagance of 
her claims, regarded her as an undefined object of awe or rather terror, 
detained her sister by an eager and terrified grasp, while she whispered 
in her ear an anxious entreaty that she would call for assistance. But 
the soul of Minna was too highly wrought up by the crisis at which her 
fate seemed to have arrived to permit her to follow the dictates of her 
sister's fears ; and, extricating herself from Brenda' s hold, she hastily 
threw on a loose nightgown, and stepping boldly across the apartment, 
while her heart throbbed rather with high excitement than with fear,/ 
she thus addressed her singular visitor : — 

" Noma, if your mission regards us, as your words seem to express, 
there is one of us at least who will receive its import with reverence, 
but without fear." 

" Noma, dear Noma," said the tremulous voice of Brenda, — who, 
feeling no safety in the bed after Minna quitted it, had followed her, 
as fugitives crowd into the rear of an advancing army because they 
dare not remain behind, and who now stood half concealed by her 
sister, and holding fast by the skirts of her gown. — "Noma, dear 
Noma," said she, " whatever you are to say, let it be to-morrow. I 
will call Euphane Fea, the housekeeper, and she will find you a bed 
for the night." 

" No bed for me !" said their nocturnal visitor ; " no closing of the 
eyes for me ! They have watched as shelf and stack appeared and 
disappeared betwixt Burgh-Westra and Orkney — they have seen the 
Man of Hoy sink into the sea, and the Peak of Hengcliff arise from it, 
and yet they; have not tasted of slumber ; nor must they slumber now 
till my task is ended. Sit down, then, Minna, and thou, silly trembler, 
sit down while I trim my lamp — Don your clothes, for the tale is long, 
and ere 'tis done ye will shiver with worse than cold." 

" For heaven's sake, then, put it off till daylight, dear Noma !" 
said Brenda ; " the dawn cannot be far distant ; and if you are to tell 
us of anything frightful, let it be by daylight, and not by the dim 
glimmer of that blue lamp !" 

" Patience, fool !" said their uninvited guest. " Not by daylight 
should Noma tell a tale that might blot the sun out of heaven, and 
blight the hopes of the hundred boats that will leave this shore ere * 
noon to commence their deep-sea fishing, — ay, and of the hundred 
families that^will await their return. The demon, whom the sounds 
will not fail to awaken, must shake his dark wings over a shipless and 
a boatless sea, as he rushes from his mountain to drink the accents of 
horror he loves so well to listen to." 

" Have pity on Brenda's fears, good Noma," said the elder sister, 
" and at least postpone this frightful communication to another place 
and hour." 

" Maiden, no !" replied Noma, sternly ; " it must be told while that 
lamp yet burns. Mine is no daylight tale— by that lamp it must be 



148 THE PIRATE. 

Wodensvoe, who murdered his brother ; and has for its nourishment — 
but be that nameless — enough that its food never came either from the 
fish or from the fruit ! — See, it waxes dim and dimmer, nor must my 
tale last longer than its flame endureth. Sit ye down there ; while I 
sit here opposite to you, and place the lamp betwixt us ; for within the 
sphere of its light the demon dares not venture." 

The sisters obeyed, Minna casting a slow, awe-struck, yet determined 
look all around, as if to see the being who, according to the doubtful 
words of Noma, hovered in their neighbourhood ; while Brenda's fears 
were mingled with some share both of anger and of impatience. Noma 
paid no attention to either, but began her story in the following 
wouds : — 

" Ye know, my daughters, that your blood is allied to mine, but in 
what degree ye know not ; for there was early hostility betwixt your 
grandsire and him who had the misfortune to call me daughter.— Let 
me term him by his Christian name of Erland, for that which marks 
our relation I dare not bestow. Your grandsire Olave was the brother 
of Erland. But when the wide Udal possessions of their father Rolfe 
Troil, the most rich and well-estated of any who descended from the 
old Norse stock, were divided betwixt the brothers, the Fowd gave to 
Erland his father's lands in Orkney, and reserved for Olave those of 
Hialtland. Discord arose between the brethren, for Erland held that 
he was wronged ; and when the Lawting, 1 with the Raddmen and 
Lawright-men, confirmed the division, he went in wrath to Orkney, 
cursing Hialtland and its inhabitants — cursing his brother and his 
blood. 

" But the love of the rock and of the mountain still wrought on 
Erland' s mind, and he fixed his dwelling not on the soft hills of Ophir, 
or the green plains of Gramesey, but in the wild and mountainous isle 
of Hoy, whose summit rises to the sky, like the cliffs of Foulah and of 
Feroe. 3 He knew — that unhappy Erland — whatever of legendary lore 
Scald and Bard had left behind them ; and to teach me that knowledge, 
which was to cost us both so dear, was the chief occupation of his old 
age. I learned to visit each lonely barrow — each lofty cairn — to tell its 
appropriate tale, and to soothe with rhymes in his praise the spirit of 
the stern warrior who dwelt within. I knew where the sacrifices were 
made of yore to Thor and to Odin — on what stones the blood of the 
victims flowed — where stood the dark-browed priest — where the crested 
chiefs, who consulted the will of the idol — where the more distant crowd 
of inferior worshippers, who looked on in awe or in terror. The places 
most shunned by the timid peasants had no terrors for me ; I dared 
walk in the fairy circle, and sleep by the magic spring. 

" But, for my misfortune, I was chiefly fond to linger about the 
Dwarfie Stone, as it is called, a relict of antiquity, which strangers look 
on with curiosity, and the natives with awe. It is a huge fragment of 

1 The Lawting was the Comitia, or Supreme Court of the country; being retained 
both in Orkney and Zetland, and presenting, in their constitution, the rude origin of a 
parliament. 

2 And from which hill of Hoy, at midsummer, the sun may he seen, ft is said, at 
midnight. So says the geographer Bleau, although, according to Dr Wallace, it can- 
not be the true body of the sun which is visible but only its image refracted through 
some watery cloud upon the horizon. 



THE PIRATE. 149 

a rock, which lies in a broken and rude valley, full of stones and pre- 
cipices, in the recesses of the Ward-hill of Hoy. The inside of the 
rock has two couches, hewn by no earthly hand, and having a small 
passage between them. The doorway is now open to the weatner ; but 
beside it lies a large stone, which, adapted to grooves still visible in the 
entrance, once had served to open and to close this extraordinary dwell- 
ing, which Trolld, a dwarf famous in the northern Sagas, is said to 
have framed for his own favourite residence. The lonely shepherd 
avoids the place, for at sunrise, high noon, or sunset, the misshapen 
form of the necromantic owner may sometimes still be seen sitting by 
the Dwarfie Stone. 1 I feared not the apparition, for, Minna, my heart 
was as bold and my hand was as innocent as yours. In my childish 
courage, I was even but too presumptuous, and the thirst after things 
unattainable led me, like our primitive mother, to desire increase of 
knowledge even by prohibited means. I longed to possess the power 
of the Voluspse and divining women of our ancient race ; to wield, like 
them, command over the elements ; and to summon the ghosts of de- 
ceased heroes from their caverns, that they might recite their daring 
deeds and impart to me their hidden treasures. Often, when watching 
by the Dwarfie Stone, with mine eyes fixed on the Ward-hill, which rises 
above that gloomy valley, I have distinguished, among the dark rocks, 
that wonderful carbuncle, 2 which gleams ruddy as a furnace to them who 
view it from beneath, but has ever become invisible to him whose daring 
foot has scaled the precipices from which it darts its splendour. My vain 
and youthful bosom burned to investigate these and an hundred other 
mysteries which the Sagas that I perused, or learned from Erland, rather 
indicated than explained ; and in my daring mood I called on the Lord 
of the Dwarfie Stone to aid me in attaining knowledge inaccessible to 
mere mortals." 

" And the evil spirit heard your summons ?" said Minna, her blood 
curdling as she listened. 

" Hush," said Noma, lowering her voice, " vex him not with re- 
proach — he is with us — he hears us even now." 

Brenda started from her seat. — " I will to Euphane Fea's chamber," 
she said ; " and leave you, Minna and Noma, to finish your stories of 
hobgoblins and of dwarfs at your own leisure ; I care not for them at 
any time, but I will not endure them at midnight, and by this pale 
lamplight." 

She was accordingly in the act of leaving the room when her sister 
detained her. 

" Is this the courage," she said, " of her that disbelieves whatever 
the history of our fathers tells us of supernatural prodigy? What 
Noma has to tell concerns the fate, perhaps, of our father and his 
house ; — if I can listen to it, trusting that God and my innocence will 
protect me from all that is malignant, you, Brenda, who believe not 
m such influence, have surely no cause to tremble. Credit me, that for 
the guiltless there is no fear. 

" There may be no danger," ^id Brenda, unable to suppress her na- 
tural turn for humour, " but, as the old jest-book says, there is much 

>■ See Note P. The Dwarfie Stone. 

* See Note Q. Carbuncle on the Ward-hill 



150 THE PIRATE. 

fear. However, Minna, I will stay with you ;— the rather," she added 
in a whisper, " that I am loath to leave you alone with this frightful 
woman, and that I have a dark staircase and long passage betwixt 
and Euphane Fea, else I would have her here ere I were five minutes 
older." 

" Call no one hither, maiden, upon peril of thy life," said Noma, 
" and interrupt not my tale again ; for it cannot and must not be told 
after that charmed light has ceased to burn." 

" And I thank Heaven," said Brenda to herself, " that the oil burns 
low in the cruise ! I am sorely tempted to lend it a puff, but then 
Noma would be alone with us in the dark, and that would be worse." 

So saying, she submitted to her fate, and sat down, determined to 
listen with all the equanimity which she could command to the re- 
maining part of Noma's tale, which went on as follows : — 

"It happened on a hot summer day, and just about the hour of 
noon," continued Noma, " as I sat by the Dwarfie Stone, with my eyes 
fixed on the Ward-hill, whence the mysterious and ever-burning car- 
buncle shed its rays more brightly than usual, and repined in my heart 
at the restricted bounds of human knowledge, that at length I could 
not help exclaiming, in the words of an ancient Saga, 

' Dwellers of the mountain, rise, 
Trolld the powerful, Hahns the wise ! 
Ye who taught weak woman's tongue 
Words that sway the wise and strong, — 
Ye who taught weak woman's hand 
How to wield the magic wand, 
And wake the gales on Foulah's steep, 
Or lull wild Sumburgh's waves to sleep !— 
Still are ye yet? — Not yours the power 
Ye knew in Odin's mightier hour. 
What are ye now but empty names, 
Powerful Trolld, sagacious Haims, 
That, lightly spoken, lightly heard, 
Float on the ah- like thistle's beard ? ' 

" I had scarce uttered these words," proceeded Noma, " ere the sky, 
which had been till then unusually clear, grew so suddenly dark around 
me that it seemed more like midnight than noon. A single flash of 
lightning showed me at once the desolate landscape of heath, morass, 
mountain, and precipice which lay around ; a single clap of thunder 
wakened all the echoes of the Ward-hill, which continued so long to 
repeat the sound that it seemed some rock, rent by the thunderbolt 
from the summit, was rolling over cliff* and precipice into the valley. 
Immediately after fell a burst of rain so violent that I was fain to shun 
its pelting by creeping into the interior of the mysterious stone. 

" 1 seated myself on the larger stone couch, which is cut at the far- 
ther end of the cavity, and with my eyes fixed on the smaller bed 
wearied myself with conjectures respecting the origin and purpose of 
my singular place of refuge. Had it been really the work of that 
powerful Trolld, to whom the poetry of the Scalds referred it 1 Or was 
it the tomb of some Scandinavian chief, interred with his arms and his 
wealth, perhaps also with his immolated wife, that what he loved best 
in life might not in death be divided from him I Or was it the abode 
of penance, chosen by some devoted anchorite of later days 1 Or the 



THE PIRATE. 151 

idle work of some wandering mechanic, whom chance, and whim, and 
leisure had thrust upon such an undertaking ? I tell you the thoughts 
that then floated through my brain that ye may know that what 
ensued was not the vision of a prejudiced or prepossessed imagination, 
hut an apparition, as certain as it was awful. 

" Sleep had gradually crept on me, amidst my lucubrations, when I 
was startled from my slumbers by a second clap of thunder ; and, when 
I awoke, I saw through the dim light which the upper aperture ad- 
mitted the unshapely and indistinct form of Trolld the dwarf, seated 
opposite to me on the lesser couch, which his square and misshapen bulk 
seemed absolutely to fill up. I was startled, but not affrighted ; for the 
blood of the ancient race of Lochlin was warm in my veins. He spoke; 
and his words were of Norse, so old, that few, save my father or myself, 
could have comprehended their import, — such language as was spoken 
in these islands ere Olave planted the cross on the ruins of heathenism. 
His meaning was dark also and obscure, like that which the Pagan 
priests were wont to deliver, in the name of their idols, to the tribes 
that assembled at the Helgafels. 1 This was the import, — 

' A thousand winters dark have flown, 
Since o'er the threshold of my Stone 
A votaress pass'd, my power to own. 
Visitor hold 
Of the mansion of Trolld, 

Maiden haughty of heart, 
Who hast hither presumed,— 
Ungifted, undoom'd, 

Thou shalt not depart ; 
The power thou dost covet 

O'er tempest and wave, 

Shall be thine, thou proud maiden, 

By beach and by cave, — 

By stack 2 and by skerry, 3 by noup 4 and by voe, 5 

By air 6 and by wick, 7 and by helyer 8 and gio, 9 

And by every wild shore which the northern winds know, 

And the northern tides lave. 
But though this shall be given thee, thou desperately brave, 
I doom thee that never the gift thou shalt have, 
Till thou reave thy life's giver 
Of the gift which he gave.' 

" I answered him in nearly the same strain ; for the spirit of the 
ancient Scalds of our race was upon me, and, far from fearing the 
phantom with whom I sat cooped within so narrow a space, I felt the 
impulse of that high courage which thrust the ancient Champions and 
Druidesses upon contests with the invisible world, when they thought 
that the earth no longer contained enemies worthy to be subdued by 
them. Therefore did I answer him thus : — 

' Dark are thy words, and severe, 
Thou dweller in the stone ; 

1 Or consecrated mountain, used by the Scandinavian priests for the purposes of their 
idol-worship. 

2 Stack. A precipitous rock rising out of the sea. 

3 Skerry. A flat insulated rock, not subject to the overflowing of the sea. 

4 Noup. A round-headed eminence. 5 Voe. A creek, or inlet of the sea. 
fi Air. An open sea-beach. 7 Wick. An open bay. 

8 Helyer. A cavern into which the tide flows. 
8 Gio. A deep rayine which admits the sea. 



152 THE PIRATE. 

But trembling and fear 

To her are unknown, 
Who hath sought thee here, 

In thy dwelling lone. 
Come what comes soever, 

The worst I can endure ; 
Life is hut a short fever, 

And Death is the cure.' 

" The Demon scowled at me, as if at once incensed and overawed ; 
and then, coiling himself up in a thick and sulphureous vapour, he dis- 
appeared from his place. I did not, till that moment, feel the influence 
of fright, but then it seized me. I rushed into the open air, where the 
tempest had passed away, and all was pure and serene. After a 
moment's breathless pause, I hasted home, musing by the way on the 
words of the phantom, which I could not, as often happens, recall so 
distinctly to memory at the time as I have been since able to do. 

" It may seem strange that such an apparition should in time have 
glided from my mind like a vision of the night — but so it was. I 
brought myself to believe it the work of fancy — I thought I had lived 
too much in solitude, and had given way too much to the feelings in- 
spired by my favourite studies. I abandoned them for a time, and I 
mixed with the youth of my age. I was upon a visit at Kirkwall when 
I learned to know your father, whom business had brought thither. He 
easily found access to the relation with whom I lived, who was anxious 
to compose, if possible, the feud which divided our families. Your 
father, maidens, has been rather hardened than changed by years — he 
had the same manly form, the same old Norse frankness of manner and 
of heart, the same upright courage and honesty of disposition, with 
more of the gentle ingenuousness of youth, an eager desire to please, a 
willingness to be pleased, and a vivacity of spirits which survives not 
our early years. But though he was thus worthy of love, and though 
Erland wrote to me authorizing his attachment, there was another — a 
stranger, Minna, a fatal stranger — full of arts unknown to us, and 
graces which to the plain manners of your father were unknown. Yes, 
he walked indeed among us like a being of another and of a superior 
race. — Ye look on me as if it were strange that I should have had 
attractions for such a lover ; but I present nothing that can remind 
you that Noma of the Fitful-head was once admired and loved as Ulla 
Troil — the change betwixt the animated body and the corpse after de- 
cease is scarce more awful and absolute than I have sustained, while I 
yet linger on earth. Look on me, maidens— look on me by this glim- 
mering light — Can ye believe that these haggard and weather-wasted 
features — these eyes which have been almost converted to stone by look- 
ing upon sights of terror — these locks that, mingled with gray, now 
stream out the shattered pennons of a sinking vessel, — that these, and 
she to whom they belong, could once be the objects of fond affection? — 
But the waning lamp sinks fast, and let it sink while I tell my in- 
famy. — We loved in secret, we met in secret, till I gave the last proof 
of fatal and of guilty passion ! — And now beam out, thou magic glim- 
mer—shine out a little space, thou flame so powerful even in thy feeble- 
ness — bid him who hovers near us keep his dark pinions aloof from the 
circle thou dost illuminate — live but a little till the worst be told, and 



THE PIRATE. 153 

then sink when thou wilt into darkness as black as my guilt and 
sorrow !" 

While she spoke thus, she drew together the remaining nutriment of 
the lamp, and trimmed its decaying flame ; then again, with a hollow 
voice, and in broken sentences, pursued her narrative. 

" I must waste little time in words. My love was discovered, but 
not my guilt. Erland came to Pomona in anger, and transported me 
to our solitary dwelling in Hoy. He commanded me to see my lover 
no more, and to receive Magnus, in whom he was willing to forgive the 
offences of his father, as my future husband. Alas ! I no longer de- 
served his attachment— my only wish was to escape from my father's 
dwelling to conceal my shame in my lover's arms. Let me do him 
justice — he was faithful — too, too faithful — his perfidy would have be- 
reft me of my senses ; but the fatal consequences of his fidelity have 
done me a tenfold injury." 

She paused, and then resumed with the wild tone of insanity, " It 
has made me the powerful and the despairing Sovereign of the Seas 
and Winds ?" 

She paused a second time after this wild exclamation, and resumed 
her narrative in a more composed manner. 

" My lover came in secret to Hoy, to concert measures for my flight ; 
and I agreed to meet him, that we might fix the time when his vessel 
should come into the Sound. I left the house at midnight." 

Here she appeared to gasp with agony, and went on with her tale by 
broken and interrupted sentences. "Ileft the house at midnight — 
I had to pass my father's door, and I perceived it was open — I thought 
he watched us, and, that the sound of my steps might not break his 
slumbers, I closed the fatal door — a light and trivial action — but, God 
in Heaven ! what were the consequences ! — At morn the room was full 
of suffocating vapour — my father was dead — dead through my act — 
dead through my disobedience — dead through my infamy! All that 
follows is mist and darkness — a choking, suffocating, stifling mist en- 
velopes all that I said and did, all that was said and done, until I be- 
came assured that my doom was accomplished, and walked forth the 
calm and terrible being you now behold me — the Queen of the Elements 
— the sharer in the power of those beings to whom man and his passions 
give such sport as the tortures of the dog-fish afford the fisherman, when 
he pierces his eyes with thorns, and turns him once more into his native 
element to traverse the waves in blindness and agony. 1 No, maidens, 
she whom you see before you is impassive to the follies of which your 
minds are the sport. I am she that have made the offering — I am she 
that bereaved the giver of the gift of life which he gave me — the dark 
saying has been interpreted by my deed, and I am taken from humanity 
to be something pre-eminently poAverful, pre-eminently wretched !" 

As she spoke thus, the light, which had been long quivering, leaped 
high for an instant, and seemed about to expire, when Noma, inter- 
rupting herself, said hastily, " No more now— he conies — he comes — 
Enough that ye know me, and the right I have to advise and command 
you.— Approach now, proud Spirit ! if thou wilt." 

1 This cruelty is practised by some fishers out of a vindictive hatred to these raven- 
ous fishes. 



154 THE PIRATE, 

j 

So saying, she extinguished the lamp, and passed out of the apart- 
ment with her usual loftiness of step, as Minna could observe from its 
measured cadence. 



CHAPTER XX. 

Is all the counsel that we two have shared — 
The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent, 
When we have chid the hasty-footed time 
For parting us— Oh, and is all forgot? 

Midsummer-Night's Dream. 

The attention of Minna was powerfully arrested by this tale of terror, 
which accorded with and explained many broken hints respecting Noma 
which she had heard from ner father and other near relations, and she 
was for a time so lost in surprise, not unmingled with horror, that she 
did not even attempt to speak to her sister Brenda. When, at length, 
she called her by her name, she received no answer, and, on touching 
her hand, she found it cold as ice. Alarmed to the uttermost, she threw 
open the lattice and the window-shutters, and admitted at once the free 
air and the pale glimmer of the hyperborean summer night. She then 
became sensible that her sister was in a swoon. All thoughts concern- 
ing Noma, her frightful tale, and her mysterious connection with the 
invisible world, at once vanished from Minna's thoughts, and she hastily 
ran to the apartment of the old housekeeper to summon her aid, with- 
out reflecting for a moment what sights she might encounter in the long 
dark passages which she had to traverse. 

The old woman hastened to Brenda' s assistance, and instantly ap- 
plied such remedies as her experience suggested ; but the poor girl's 
nervous system had been so much agitated by the horrible tale she had 
just heard, that, when recovered from her swoon, her utmost endea- 
vours to compose her mind could not prevent her falling into a hysterical 
tit of some duration. This also was subdued by the experience of old 
Euphane Fea, who was well versed in all the simple pharmacy used by 
the natives of Zetland, and who, after administering a composing 
draught, distilled from simples and wild flowers, at length saw her 
patient resigned to sleep. Minna stretched herself beside her sister, 
kissed her cheek, and courted slumber in her turn ; but the more she 
invoked it, the farther it seemed to fly from her eyelids ; and if at times 
she was disposed to sink into repose, the voice of the involuntary par- 
ricide seemed again to sound in her ears, and startled her into con- 
sciousness. 

The early morning hour at which they were accustomed to rise found 
the state of the sisters different from what might have been expected. 
A sound sleep had restored the spirit of Brenda/s lightsome eye and the 
rose on her laughing cheek ; the transient indisposition of the preceding 
night having left as little trouble on her look as the fantastic terrors 
of Noma's tale had been able to impress on her imagination. The looks 
of Minna, on the contrary, were melancholy, downcast, and apparently 
exhausted by watching and anxiety. They said at first little to each 



THE PIRATE. 155 

other, as if afraid of touching a subject so fraught with emotion as the 
scene of the preceding night. It was not until they had performed to- 
gether their devotions, as usual, that Brenda, while lacing Minna's 
boddice (for they rendered the services of the toilet to each other re- 
ciprocally), became aware of the paleness of her sister's looks ; and 
having ascertained, by a glance at the mirror, that her own did not 
wear the same dejection, she kissed Minna's cheek, and said affection- 
ately, " Claud Halcro was right, my dearest sister, when his poetical 
folly gave us these names of 'Night and Day." 

" And wherefore should you say so now ¥' said Minna. 

" Because we each are bravest in the season that we take our name 
from ; I was frightened well-nigh to death by hearing those things last 
night which you endured with courageous firmness ; and now, when it 
is broad light, I can think of them with composure, while you look as 
pale as a spirit who is surprised by sunrise." 

" You are lucky, Brenda," said her sister, gravely, " who can so soon 
forget such a tale of wonder and of horror." 

" The horror," said Brenda, " is never to be forgotten, unless one 
could hope that the unfortunate woman's excited imagination, which 
shows itself so active in Conjuring up apparitions, may have fixed on 
her an imaginary crime." 

" You believe nothing, then," said Minna, " of her interview at the 
Dwarfie Stone, that wondrous place, of which so many tales are told, 
and which, for so many centuries, has been reverenced as the work of a 
demon, and as his abode ?" 

" I believe," said Brenda, "that our unhappy relative is no impostor, 
and therefore I believe that she was at the Dwarfie Stone during a 
thunder-storm, that she sought shelter in it, and that, during a swoon, 
or during sleep perhaps, some dream visited her, concerned with the 
popular traditions with which she was so conversant; but I cannot 
easily believe more." 

" And yet the event," said Minna, " corresponded to the dark inti- 
mations of the vision." 

" Pardon me," said Brenda, " I rather think the dream would never 
have been put into shape, or perhaps remembered at all, but for the 
event. She told us herself she had nearly forgot the vision till after 
her father's dreadful death, — and who shall warrant how much of what 
she then supposed herself to remember was not the creation of her own 
fancy, disordered as it naturally was by the horrid accident? Had 
she really seen and conversed with a necromantic dwarf, she was likely 
to remember the conversation long enough — at least I am sure 1 
should." 

" Brenda," replied Minna, " you have heard the good minister of the 
Cross-kirk say, that human wisdom was worse than folly when it was 
applied to mysteries beyond its comprehension ; and that, if we believed 
no more than we could understand, we should resist the evidence of our 
senses, which presented us, at every turn, circumstances as certain as 
they were unintelligible." 

" You are too learned yourself, sister," answered Brenda, " to need 
the assistance of the good minister of Cross-kirk ; but I think Ms doc- 
trine only related to the mysteries of our religion, which it is our duty 



156 THE PIRATE. 

to receive without investigation or doubt — but in things occurring in 
common life, as God has bestowed reason upon us, we cannot act wrong 
in employing it. But you, my dear Minna, have a warmer fancy than 
mine, and are willing to receive all those wonderful stories for truth, 
because you love to think of sorcerers, and dwarfs, and water-spirits, 
and would like much to have a little trow, or fairy, as the Scotch call 
them, with a green coat, and a pair of wings as brilliant as the hues of 
the starling's neck, specially to attend on you." 

" It would spare you at least the trouble of lacing my boddice," said 
Minna, " and of lacing it wrong, too ; for in the heat of your argument 
you have missed two eyelet-holes." 

" That error shall be presently mended," said Brenda ; " and then, 
as one of our friends might say, I will haul tight and belay — but you 
draw your breath so deeply that it will be a difficult matter." 

" I only sighed," said Minna, in some confusion, " to think how 
soon you can trifle with and ridicule the misfortunes of this extraordi- 
nary woman." 

" I do not ridicule them, God knows !" replied Brenda, somewhat 
angrily ; "it is you, Minna, who turn all I say in truth and kindness 
to something harsh or wicked. I look on Noma as a woman of very 
extraordinary abilities, which are very often reconciled with a strong 
cast of insanity ; and I consider her as better skilled in the signs of the 
weather than any woman in Zetland. But that she has any power over 
the elements I no more believe than I do in the nursery stories of 
King Erick, who could make the wind blow from the point he set his 
cap to." 

Minna, somewhat nettled with the obstinate incredulity of her sister, 
replied sharply, "And yet, Brenda, this woman — half-mad woman, and 
the veriest impostor — is the person by whom you choose to be advised 
in the matter next your own heart at this moment !" 

" I do not know what you mean," said Brenda, colouring deeply, and 
shifting to get away from her sister. But as she Avas now undergoing 
the ceremony of being laced in her turn, her sister had the means of 
holding her fast by the silken string with which she was fastening the 
boddice, and, tapping her on the neck, which expressed, by its sudden 
writhe, and sudden change to a scarlet hue, as much pettish confusion 
as she had desire to provoke, she added, more mildly, " Is it not strange, 
Brenda, that, used as we have been by the stranger Mordaunt Mertoun, 
whose assurance has brought him uninvited to a house where his pre- 
sence is so unacceptable, you should still look or think of him with 
favour ? Surely, that you do so should be a proof to you that there 
are such things as spells in the country, and that you yourself labour 
under them. It is not for nought that Mordaunt wears a chain of elfin 
gold — look to it, Brenda, and be wise in time." 

" I have nothing to do with Mordaunt Mertoun," answered Brenda, 
hastily, " nor do I know or care what he or any other young man wears 
about his neck. I cuuld see all the gold chains of all the bailies of 
Edinburgh, that Lady Glowrowrum speaks so much of, without falling 
in fancy with one of the wearers." And having thus complied with the 
female rule of pleading not guilty in general to "such an indictment, she 
immediately resumed, in a different tone, " But, to say the truth, Minna, 



THE PIRATE. 157 

I think you, and all of you, have judged far too hastily about this young 
friend of ours, who has been so long our most intimate companion. 
Mind, Mordaunt Mertoun is no more to me than he is to you — who best 
know how little difference he made betwixt us ; and that, chain or no 
chain, he lived with us like a brother with two sisters ; and yet you can 
turn him off at once, because a wandering seaman, of whom we know 
nothing, and a peddling j agger, whom we well know to be a thief, a 
cheat, and a liar, speak words and carry tales in his disfavour ! I do not 
believe he ever said he could have his choice of either of us, and only 
waited to see which was to have Burgh- Westra and Bredness V oe — I do 
not believe he ever spoke such a word, or harboured such a thought, as 
that of making a choice between us." 

" Perhaps," said Minna, coldly, " you may have had reason to know 
that his choice was already determined." 

" I will not endure this ! " said Brenda, giving way to her natural vi- 
vacity, and springing from between her sister's hands ; then turning 
round and facing her, while her glowing cheek was rivalled in the deep- 
ness of its crimson by as much of her neck and bosom as the upper 
part of the half-laced boddice permitted to be visible, — " Even from you, 
Minna," she said, " I will not endure this ! You know that all my life 
I have spoken the truth, and that I love the truth ; and I tell you that 
Mordaunt Mertoun never in his life made distinction betwixt you and 
me until " 

Here some feeling of consciousness stopped her short, and her sister 
replied, with a smile, "Until when, Brenda? Methinks, your love of 
truth seems choked with the sentence you were bringing out." 

"Until you ceased to do him the justice he deserves," said Brenda, 
firmly, " since I must speak out. I have little doubt that he will not 
long throw away his friendship on you, who hold it so lightly." 

"Beit so," said Minna ; " you are secure from my rivalry, either in 
his love or friendship. But bethink you better, Brenda — this is no 
scandal of Cleveland's — Cleveland is incapable of slander — no falsehood 
of Bryce Snailsfoot — not one of our friends or acquaintance but says it 
has been the common talk of the island, that the daughters of Magnus 
Troil were patiently awaiting the choice of the nameless and birthless 
stranger, Mordaunt Mertoun. — Is it fitting that this should be said of 
us, the descendants of a Norwegian Jarl, and the daughters of the 
first Udaller in Zetland ? or, would it be modest or maidenly to submit 
to it unresented, were we the meanest lasses that ever lifted a milk- 
pail ?" 

" The tongues of fools are no reproach," replied Brenda, warmly ; " I 
will never quit my own thoughts of an innocent friend for the gossip of 
the island, which can put the worst meaning on the most innocent 
actions." 

" Hear but what our friends say," repeated Minna ; " hear but the 
Lady Glowrowrum ; hear but Madaie and Clara Groatsettar." 

" If I were to hear Lady Glowrowrum," said Brenda, steadily, " I 
should listen to the worst tongue in Zetland ; and as for Maddie and 
Clara Groatsettar, they were both blithe enough to get Mordaunt to sit 
betwixt them at dinner the day before yesterday, as you might have 
observed yourself but that your ear was better engaged." 



158 THE PIRATE. 

" Your eyes, at least, have been but indifferently engaged, Brenda," 
retorted the elder sister, " since they were fixed on a young man whom 
all the world but yourself believes to have talked of us with the most 
insolent presumption ; and even if he be innocently charged, Lady 
Glowrowrum says it is unmaidenly and bold of you even to look in the 
direction where he sits, knowing it must confirm such reports." 

" I will look which way I please," said Brenda, growing still warmer ; 
"Lady Glowrowrum shall neither rule my thoughts, nor my words, nor 
my eyes. I hold Mordaunt Mertoun to be innocent, — I will look at 
him as such, — I will speak of him as such ; and if I did not speak to him 
also, and behave to hini as usual, it is in obedience to my father, and 
not for what Lady Glowrowrum and all her nieces, had she twenty in- 
stead of two, could think, wink, nod, or tattle about the matter that 
concerns them not." 

" Alas ! Brenda," answered Minna, with calmness, " this vivacity is 
more than is required for the defence of the character of a mere friend ! 
—Beware — He who ruined Noma's peace for ever was a stranger, ad- 
mitted to her affections against the will of her family." 

" He was a stranger," replied Brenda, with emphasis, " not only in 
birth, but in manners. She had not been bred up with him from her 
youth, — she had not known the gentleness, the frankness of his dispo- 
sition, by an intimacy of many years. He was indeed a stranger in 
character, temper, birth, manners, and morals,— some wandering ad- 
venturer, perhaps, whom chance or tempest had thrown upon the 
islands, and who knew how to mask a false heart with a frank brow. 
My good sister, take home your own warning. There are other strangers 
at Burgh-Westra besides this poor Mordaunt Mertoun." 

Minna seemed for a moment overwhelmed with the rapidity with 
which her sister retorted her suspicion and her caution. But her natu- 
ral loftiness of disposition enabled her to reply with assumed composure. 

" Were I to treat you, Brenda, with the want of confidence you show 
towards me, I might reply that Cleveland is no more to me than Mor- 
daunt was ; or than young Swaraster, or Lawrence Ericson, or any other 
favourite guest of my father's now is. But I scorn to deceive you, or 
to disguise my thoughts. I love Clement Cleveland." 

" Do not say so, my dearest sister," said Brenda, abandoning at once 
the air of acrimony with which the conversation had been latterly con- 
ducted, and throwing her arms round her sister's neck, with looks and 
with a tone of the most earnest affection, — " do not say so, I implore 
you ! I will renounce Mordaimt Mertoun, — I will swear never to speak 
to him again ; but do not repeat that you love this Cleveland !" 

" And why should I not repeat," said Minna, disengaging herself 
gently from her sister's grasp, " a sentiment in which I glory ? The 
boldness, the strength and energy of his character, to which command 
is natural, and fear unknown, — these very properties, which alarm you 
for my happiness, are the qualities which ensure it. Bemember, 
Brenda, that when your foot foved the calm smooth sea-beach of the 
summer sea, mine ever delighted in the summit of the precipice when 
the waves are in fury." 

" And it is even that whicli I dread," said Brenda ; " it is even that 
adventurous disposition which now is urging you to the brink of a pre- 



THE PIRATE. 159 

cipice more dangerous than ever was washed by a spring tide. This 
man, — do not frown, I will say no slander of him,- j -but is he not, even 
in your own partial judgment, stern and overbearing? accustomed, as 
you say to command ; but, for that very reason, commanding where 
he has no right to do so, and leading whom it would most become him 
to follow? rushing on danger, rather for its own sake, than for any 
other object ? And can you think of being yoked with a spirit so un- 
settled and stormy, whose life has hitherto been led in scenes of death 
and peril, and who, even while sitting by your side, cannot disguise his 
impatience again to engage in them ? A lover, methinks, should love 
his mistress better than his own life ; but yours, my dear Minna, loves 
her less than the pleasure of inflicting death on others." 

" And it is even for that I love him," said Minna. "lama daughter 
of the old dames of Norway, who could send their lovers to battle with 
a smile, and slay them, with their own hands, if they returned with 
dishonour. My lover must scorn the mockeries by which our degraded 
race strive for distinction, or must practise them only in sport, and in 
earnest of nobler dangers. No whale-striking, bird-nesting favourite 
for me ; my lover must be a Sea-king, or what else modern times may 
give that draws near to that lofty character." 

" Alas, my sister !" said Brenda, " it is now that I must in earnest 
begin to believe the force of spells and of charms. You remember the 
Spanish story which you took from me long since, because I said, in your 
admiration of the chivalry of the olden times of Scandinavia, you 
rivalled the extravagance of the hero. Ah, Minna ! your colour shows 
that your conscience checks you, and reminds you of the book I mean ; 
is it more wise, think you, to mistake a windmill for a giant, or the com- 
mander of a paltry corsair for a Kiempe, or a Vi-king ?" 

Minna did indeed colour with anger at this insinuation, of which, 
perhaps, she felt in some degree the truth. 

" You have a right," she said, "to insult me because you are pos- 
sessed of my secret." . 

Brenda' s soft heart could not Besist this charge of unkindness ; she 
adjured her sister to pardon her, and the natural gentleness of Minna's 
feelings could not resist her entreaties. 

" We are unhappy," she said, as she dried her sister's tears, " that 
we cannot see with the same eyes — let us not make each other more so 
by mutual insult and unkindness. You have my secret. It will not, 
perhaps, long be one, for my father shall have the confidence to which 
he is entitled so soon as certain circumstances will permit me to offer 
it. Meantime, I repeat, you have my secret, and I more than suspect 
that I have yours in exchange, though you refuse to own it." 

" How, Minna !" said Brenda ; " would you have me acknowledge 
for any one such feelings as you allude to, ere he has said the least word 
that could justify such a confession V 

" Surely not 5 but a hidden fire may be distinguished by heat as well 
as flame." 

" You understand these signs, Minna," said Brenda, hanging down 
her head, and in vain endeavouring to suppress the temptation to re- 
partee which her sister's remark offered; "but I can only say, that, if 
ever I love at all, it shall not be until I have been asked to do so once 



160 THE PIRATE. 

or twice at least, which has not yet chanced to me. But do not let us 
renew our quarrel, and rather let us think why Noma should have tolc 
us that horrible tale, and to what she expects it should lead." 

" It must have been as a caution," replied Minna — " a caution which 
our situation, and I will not deny it, which mine in particular, niighl 
seem to her to call for ; but I am alike strong in my own innocence 
and in the honour of Cleveland." 

Brenda would fain have replied that she did not confide so absolutely 
in the latter security as in the first ; — but she was prudent, and, for 
bearing to awake the former painful discussion, only replied, " It i 
strange that Noma should have said nothing more of her lover. Surel; 
he could not desert her in the extremity of misery to which he ha! 
reduced her ?" 

" There may be agonies of distress," said Minna, after a pause, " ii 
which the mind is so much jarred that it ceases to be responsive evei 
to the feelings which have most engrossed it ; — her sorrow for her love 
may have been swallowed up in horror and despair." 

" Or he may have fled from the islands in fear of our father's ven 
geance," said Brenda. 

"If for fear, or faintness of heart," said Minna, looking upwards 
" he was capable of flying from the rain which he had occasioned, 
trust he has long ere this sustained the punishment which Heaven re 
serves for the most base and dastardly of traitors and of cowards- 
Come, sister, we are ere this expected at the breakfast board." 

And they went thither, arm in arm, with much more of confidenc 
than had lately subsisted between them ; the little quarrel which hai 
taken place having served the purpose of a bourasque, or sudden squall 
which dispels mists and vapours, and leaves fair weather behind it. 

On their way to the breakfast apartment they agreed that it was un 
necessaiy, and might be imprudent, to communicate to their father th 
circumstance of the nocturnal visit, or to let him observe that they no< 
knew more than formerly of the melancholy history of Noma. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

But lost to me, for ever lost those joys, 
Which reason scatters, and which time destroys. 
No more the midnight fairy train I view, 
All in the merry moonlight tippling dew. 
Even the last lingering fiction of the brain, 
The churchyard ghost, is now at rest again. 

The Library. 






The moral bard, from whom we borrow the motto of this chaptei 
has touched a theme with which most readers have some feelings tha 
vibrate unconsciously. Superstition, when not arrayed in her fulj 
horrors, but laying a gentle hand only on her suppliant's head, hau 
charms which we fail not to regret, even in those stages of society from 
which her influence is well-nigh banished by the light of reason an I 
general education. At least, m more ignorant periods, her system c/ 






THE PIRATE. 161 

ideal terrors had something in them interesting to minds which had 
few means of excitement. This is more especially true of those lighter 
modifications of superstitious feelings and practices which mingle in the 
amusements of the ruder ages, and are, like the auguries of Hallow-e'en 
in Scotland, considered partly as matter of merriment, partly as sad 
and prophetic earnest. And, with similar feelings, people even of 
tolerable education have, in our times, sought the cell of a fortune- 
teller upon a frolic, as it is termed, and yet not always in a disposition 
absolutely sceptical towards the responses they receive. 

When the sisters of Burgh-Westra arrived in the apartment destined 
for a breakfast, as ample as that which we have described on the pre- 
ceding morning, and had undergone a jocular rebuke from the Udaller 
for their late attendance, they found the company, most of whom had 
already breakfasted, engaged in an ancient Norwegian custom of the 
character which we have just described. 

It seems to have been borrowed from those poems of the Scalds, in 
which champions and heroines are so often represented as seeking to 
know their destiny from some sorceress or prophetess, who, as in the 
legend called by Gray the Descent of Odin, awakens by the force of 
Runic rhyme the unwilling revealer of the doom of fate, and compels 
from her answers, often of dubious import, but which were then believed 
*to express some shadow of the events of futurity. 

An old sibyl, Euphane Fea, the housekeeper we have already men- 
tioned, was installed in the recess of a large window, studiously darkened 
by bearskins and other miscellaneous drapery, so as to give it something 
the appearance of a Laplander's hut, and accommodated, like a con- 
fessional chair, with an aperture which permitted the person within to 
hear with ease whatever questions should be put though not to see the 
querist. Here seated, the voluspa, or sibyl, was to listen to the 
rhythmical inquiries which should be made to her, and return an ex- 
temporaneous answer. The drapery was supposed to prevent her from 
seeing by what individuals she was consulted, and the intended or ac- 
cidental reference which the answer given under such circumstances 
bore to the situation of the person by whom the question was asked 
often furnished food for laughter, and sometimes, as it happened, for 
more serious reflection. The sibyl was usually chosen from her possess- 
ing the talent of improvisation in the Norse poetry, — no unusual accom- 
plishment where the minds of many were stored with old verses, and 
where the rules of metrical composition are uncommonly simple. The 
questions were also put in verse ; but as this power of extemporaneous 
composition, though common, could not be supposed universal, the 
medium of an interpreter might be used by any querist, which interpre- 
ter holding the consulter of the oracle by the hand, and standing by 
the place from Avhich the oracles were issued, had the task of rendering 
into verse the subject of inquiry. 

On the present occasion, Claud Halcro was summoned by the uni- 
versal voice to perform the part of interpreter ; and, after shaking his 
head, and muttering some apology for decay of memory and poetical 
towers, contradicted at once by his own conscious smile of confidence 
ind by the general shout of the company, the light-hearted old man 
'&me forward to play his part in the proposed entertainment. 



162 THE PIRATE. 

But just as it was about to commence, the arrangement of parts was 
singularly altered. Noma of the Fitful-head, whom every one except- 
ing the two sisters believed to be at the distance of many miles, sud- 
denly, and without greeting, entered the apartment, walked majestically 
up to the bearskin tabernacle, and signed to the female who was there 
seated to abdicate her sanctuary. The old woman came forth snaking 
her head, and looking like one overwhelmed with fear ; nor, indeed, 
were there many in the company who saw with absolute composure the 
sudden appearance of a person so well known and so generally dreaded 
as Noma. 

She paused a moment at the entrance of the tent ; and, as she raised 
the skin which formed the entrance, she looked up to the north, as if 
imploring from that quarter a train of inspiration ; then signing to the 
surprised guests that they might approach in succession the shrine in 
which she was about to install herself, she entered the tent, and was 
shrouded from their sight. 

But this was a different sport from what the company had meditated, 
and to most of them seemed to present so much more of earnest than of 
game, that there was no alacrity shown to consult the oracle. The 
character and pretensions of Noma seemed, to almost all present, too 
serious for the part which she had assumed ; the men whispered to each 
other, and the women, according to Claud Halcro, realized the descrip- 
tion of glorious John Dryden, — 

" With horror shuddering, on a heap they ran." 

The pause was interrupted by the loud manly voice of the Udaller. 
" Why does the game stand still, my masters I Are you afraid because 
my kinswoman is to play our voluspa. It is kindly done in her to do 
for us what none in the isles can do so well ; and we will not baulk our 
sport for it, but rather go on the merrier." 

There was still a pause in the company, and Magnus Troil added, 
" It shall never be said that my kinswoman sat in her bower unhalsed, 
as if she were some of the old mountain-giantesses, and all from faint 
heart. I will speak first myself; but the rhyme comes worse from my 
tongue than when I was a score of years younger. Claud Halcro, you 
must stand by me." 

Hand in hand they approached the shrine of the supposed sibyl, 
and, after a moment's consultation together, Halcro thus expressed the 
query of his friend and patron. Now, the Udaller, like many persons 
of consequence in Zetland, who, as Sir Robert Sibbald has testified for 
them, had begun thus early to apply both to commerce and navigation, 
was concerned to some extent in the whale-fishery of the season, and 
the bard had been directed to put into his halting verse an inquiry 
concerning its success. 

Claud Halceo. 

11 Mother darksome, Mother dread- 
Dweller on the Fitful-head, 
Thou canst see what deeds are done 
Under the never-setting sun. 
Look through sleet, and look through frost, 
Look to Greenland's caves and coast,— 



THE PIRATE. 163 

By the iceberg is a sail 
Chasing of the swarthy whale ; 
Mother doubtful, Mother dread, 
Tell us, has the good ship sped?" 

The jest seemed to turn to earnest as all, bending their heads around, 
listened to the voice of Noma, who, without a moment's hesitation, 
answered from the recesses of the tent in which she was enclosed : — 

NORNA. 

"The thought of the aged is ever on gear, — 
On his fishing, his furrow, his flock, and his steer, 
But thrive may his fishing, flock, furrow, and herd, 
While the aged for anguish shall tear his gray beard." 

There was a momentary pause, dining which Triptolemus had time 
to whisper, " If ten witches and as many warlocks were to swear it, I 
will never believe that a decent man will either fash his beard or him- 
self about anything so long as stock and crop goes as it should do." 

But the voice from within the tent resumed its low monotonous tone 
of recitation, and, interrupting farther commentary, proceeded as 
follows : — 

NORNA. 

"The ship, well-laden as bark need be, 
Lies deep in the furrow of the Iceland sea; — 
The breeze from Zetland blows fair and soft, 
And gaily the garland x is fluttering aloft ; 
Seven good fishes have spouted their last, 
And their jaw-bones are hanging to yard and mast ; 2 
Two are for Lerwick, and two for Kirkwall, — ■ 
And three for Burgh-Westra, the choicest of all." 

' " Now the powers above look down and protect us !" said Bryce 
Snailsfoot ; " for it is mair than woman's wit that has spaed out that 
ferly. I saw them at North Ronaldshaw that had seen the good bark, 
the Olave of Lerwick, that our worthy patron has such a great share in 
that she may be called his own in a manner, and they had broomed 3 
the ship, and, as sure as there are stars in heaven, she answered them 
for seven fish, exact as Noma has telled us in her rhyme." 

"Umph — seven fish exactly 1 and you heard it at North Ronaldshaw ?" 
said Captain Cleveland. " and I suppose told it as a good piece of news 
when you came hither T 

"It never crossed my tongue, Captain," answered the pedlar; "I 
have kend mony chapmen, travelling merchants, and such like, neglect 
their goods to carry clashes and clavers up and down, from one country- 
side to another ; but that is no traffic of mine. I dinna believe I have 
mentioned the Olave' s having made up her cargo to three folks since I 
crossed to Dunrossness." 

" But if one of those three had spoken the news over again, and it is 
two to one that such a thing happened, the old lady prophesies upon 
velvet." 

1 The garland is an artificial coronet, composed of ribbons by those young women 
who take an interest in a whaling vessel or her crew: it is always displayed from the 
rigging, and preserved with great care during the voyage. 

2 The best oil exudes from the jaw-bones of the whale, which, for the purpose of 
collecting it, are suspended to the masts of the vessel." 

3 There is established among whalers a sort of telegraphic signal, in which a certain 
i number of motions made with a broom express to any other vessel the number of fish 

>rbich they have caught. 



1G4 THE PIRATE. 

Such was the speech of Cleveland, addressed to Magnus Troil, and 
heard without any applause. The Udaller's respect for his country 
extended to its superstitions, and so did the interest which he took in 
his unfortunate kinswoman. If he never rendered a precise assent to 
her high supernatural pretensions, he was not at least desirous of hear- 
ing them disputed by others. 

"Noma," he said, "his cousin" (an emphasis on the word), "held 
no communication with Bryce Snailsfoot or liis acquaintances. He did 
not pretend to explain how she came by her information ; but he had 
always remarked that Scotsmen, and indeed strangers in general, when 
they came to Zetland, were ready to find reasons for things which re- 
mained sufficiently obscure to those whose ancestors had dwelt there 
for ages." 

Captain Cleveland took the hint, and bowed, without attempting to 
defend his own scepticism. 

" And now, forward, my brave hearts," said the Udaller ; " and may 
all have as good tidings as I have ! Three whales cannot but yield- 
let me think how many hogsheads ■" 

There was an obvious reluctance on the part of the guests to be the 
next in consulting the oracle of the tent. 

" Gude news are welcome to some folks, if they came frae the deil 
himsell," said Mistress Baby Yellowley, addressing the Lady Glow- 
rowrum, — for a similarity of disposition in some respects had made a 
sort of intimacy betwixt them, — " but I think, my leddy, that this has 
ower mickle of rank witchcraft in it to have the countenance of douce 
Christian folks like you and me, my leddy." 

" There may be something in what you say, my dame," replied the 
good Lady Glowrowrum ; "but we Hialtlanders are no just like other 
folks ; and this woman, if she be a witch, being the Fowd's friend and 
near kinswoman, it will be ill taen if we haena our fortunes spaed like 
a' the rest of them ; and sae my nieces may e'en step forward in their 
turn, and nae harm dune. They will hae time to repent, ye ken, in the 
course of nature if there be onything wrang in it, Mistress Yellowley." 
While others remained under similar uncertainty and apprehension, 
Halcro, who saw by the knitting of the old Udaller's brows, and by a 
certain impatient shuffle of his right foot, like the motion of a man 
who with difficulty refrains from stamping, that his patience began to 
wax rather thin, gallantly declared that he himself Avould, in his own 
person, and not as a procurator for others, put the next query to the 
Pythoness. He paused a minute, collected his rhymes, and thus ad- 
dressed her : — 

Claud Halcro. 
"Mother doubtful, Mother dread, 

Dweller of the Fitful-head. 

Thou hast conn'd full many a rhyme 

That lives upon the surge of time : 

Tell me, shall my lays he sung, 

Like Hacon's of the golden tongue, 

Long aftev Halcro's dead and gone? 

Or shall Hialtland's minstrel own 

One note to rival glorious John ?" 

The voice of the sibyl immediately replied from her sanctuary, — 



THE PIRATE. 165 

NOENA. 

"The infant loves the rattle's noise; 
Age, double childhood, hath its toys ; 
But different far the descant rings, 
As strikes a different hand the strings. 
The eagle mounts the polar sky — 
The Imber-goose, unskilled to fly, 
Must be content to glide along 
Where seal and sea-dog list his song." 

Halcro bit his lip, shrugged his shoulders, and then, instantly re- 
covering h^ good-humour, and the ready, though slovenly, power of 
extemporaneous composition with which long habit had invested him, 
he gallantly rejoined, — 

Claud Halceo. 

" Be mine the Imber-goose to play, 
And haunt lone cave and silent bay; — 
The archer's aim so shall I shun — 
So shall I 'scape the levell'd gun — 
Content my verse's tuneless jingle, 
With Thule's sounding tide's to mingle, 
While to the ear of wondering wight, 
Upon the distant headland's height, 
Soften'd by murmur of the sea, 
The rude sounds seem like harmony!" 

As the little bard stepped back, with an alert gait and satisfied air, 
general applause followed the spirited manner in which he had acqui- 
esced in the doom which levelled him with an Imber-goose. But his 
resigned and courageous submission did not even yet encourage any 
other person to consult the redoubted Noma. 

" The coward fools !" said the Udaller. " Are you too afraid, Captain 
Cleveland, to speak to an old woman ? — Ask her anything — ask her 
whether the twelve gun-sloop at Kirkwall be your consort or no." 

Cleveland looked at Minna, and probably conceiving that she watched 
with anxiety his answer to her father's question, he collected himself, 
after a moment's hesitation. 

" I never was afraid of man or woman. — Master Halcro, you have 
heard the question which our host desires me to ask— put it in my 
name, and in yom* own way — I pretend to as little skill in poetry as I 
do in witchcraft." 

Halcro did not wait to be invited twice, but, grasping Captain Cleve- 
land's hand in his, according to the form which the game prescribed, 
he put the query which the Udaller had dictated to the stranger in 
the following words : — 

Claud Halcro. 

"Mother doubtful, Mother dread, 
Dweller of the Fitful-head, 
A gallant bark from far abroad, 
Saint Magnus hath her in his road, 
With guns and firelocks not a few — 
A silken and a scarlet crew, 
Deep stored with precious merchandise, 
Of gold and goods of rare device 
What interest hath our comrade bold 
In bark and crew, in goods and gold?" 



166 THE PIRATE. 

There was a pause of unusual duration ere the oracle would return 
any answer ; and when she replied, it was in a lower, though an equally 
decided tone, with that which she had hitherto employed : — 

NOKNA. 

" Gold is ruddy, fair, and free, 
Blood is crimson, and dark to see; — 
I look'd out on Saint Magnus Bay, 
And I saw a falcon that struck her prey, — 
A gobbet of flesh in her beak she bore, 
And talons and singles are dripping with gore; % 

Let him that asks after them look on his hand, 
And if there is blood on't, he's one of their band." 

Cleveland smiled scornfully, and held out his hand, — " Few men have 
been on the Spanish main as often as I have without having had to do 
with the Guarda Costas once and again ; but there never was aught 
like a stain on my hand that a wet towel would not wipe away." 

The Udaller added his voice potential — " There is never peace with 
Spaniards beyond the Line, — I have heard Captain Tragendeck and 
honest old Commodore Rummelaer say so a hundred times, and they 
have both been down in the Bay of Honduras, and all thereabouts. — I 
hate all Spaniards, since they came here and reft the Fair Isle men of 
their vivers in 1558. * I have heard my grandfather speak of it ; and 
there is an old Dutch history somewhere about the house that shows 
what work they made in the Low Countries long since. There is neither 
mercy nor faith in them." 

" True— true, my old friend," said Cleveland ; " they are as jealous 
of their Indian possessions as an old man of his young bride ; and if 
they can catch you at disadvantage, the mines for your life is the word, — 
and so we fight them with our colours nailed to the mast." 

"That is the way," shouted the Udaller; "the old British jack 
should never down. When I think of the wooden walls, I almost think 
myself an Englishman, only it would be becoming too like my Scottish 
neighbours; — but come, no offence to any here, gentlemen — all are 
friends, and all are welcome.— Come, Brenda, go on with the play — do 
you speak next ; you have Norse rhymes enough we all know. 

" But none that suit the game we play at, father," said Brenda, 
drawing back. 

"Nonsense!" said her father, pushing her onward, while Halcro 
seized on her reluctant hand ; " never let mistimed modesty mar honest 
mirth — Speak for Brenda, Halcro— it is your trade to interpret maidens' 
thoughts." 

The poet bowed to the beautiful young woman with the devotion of 
a poet and the gallantry of a traveller, and having, in a whisper, re- 
minded her that she was in no way responsible for the nonsense he was 
about to speak, he paused, looked upwardj simpered as if he had caught 
a sudden idea, and at length set off in the following verses : — 

1 The Admiral of the Spanish Armada was wrecked on the Fair Is'ie, half-way 
betwixt the Orkney and Zetland Archipelago. The Duke of Medina Sidonia landed 
with some of bis people, and pillaged the islanders of their winter stores. These 
strangers are remembered as having remained on the island by force, and on bad 
terms with the inhabitants, till spring returned, when they effected their escape. 



THE PIRATE. 167 



Claud Halcro. 

Mother doubtful, Mother dread, 
Dweller of the Fitful-head, 
Well thou know'st it is thy task 
To tell what beauty will not ask ;— 
Then steep thy words in wine and milk, 
And weave a doom of gold and silk, — 
For we would know, shall Brenda prove 
In love, and happy in her love ?" 

The prophetess replied almost immediately from behind her cur- 
tain : — 

NORNA. 

" Untouch'd by love, the maiden's breast 
Is like the snow on Rona's crest, 
High seated in the middle sky, 
In bright and barren purity ; 
But by the sunbeam gently kiss'd, 
Scarce by the gazing eye 'tis.miss'd, 
Ere down the lonely valley stealing, 
Fresh grass and growth its course revealing, 
It cheers the flock, revives the flower, 
And decks some happy shepherd's bower." 

"A comfortable doctrine, and most justly spoken," said theUdaller, 
seizing the blushing Brenda as she was endeavouring to escape — 
" Never think shame for the matter, my girl. To be the mistress of 
some honest man's house, and the means of maintaining some old Norse 
name, making neighbours happy, the poor easy, and relieving strangers, 
is the most creditable lot a young woman can look to, and I heartily 
wish it to all here. Come, who speaks next ? — good husbands are going 
— Maddie Groatsettar — my pretty Clara, come and have your share." 

The Lady Glowrowrum shook her head, and " could not," she said, 
" altogether approve " 

" Enough said — enough said," replied Magnus ; " no compulsion ; 
but the play shall go on till we are tired of it. Here, Minna — I have 
got you at command. Stand forth, my girl— there are plenty of things 
to be ashamed of besides old-fashioned and innocent pleasantry. — Come, 
I will speak for you myself— though I am not sure I can remember 
rhyme enough for it." 

There was a slight colour which passed rapidly over Minna's face, 
but she instantly regained her composure, and stood erect by her father, 
as one superior to any little jest to which her situation might give rise. 

Her father, after some rubbing of his brow, and other mechanical 
efforts to assist his memory, at length recovered verse sufficient to put 
the following query, though in less gallant strains than those of 
Halcro : — 

Magnus Troil. 

M Mother, speak, and do not tarry, 
Here's a maiden fain would marry. 
Shall she many, ay or not ? 
If she many, what's her lot?" 

A deep sigh was uttered within the tabernacle of the soothsayer, as 



168 THE PIRATE. 

if she compassionated the subject of the doom which she was obliged to 
pronounce. She then, as usual, returned her response : — 

NOENA. 

" Untouch'd by love, the maiden's breast 
Is like the snow on Rona's crest ; 
So pure, so free from earthly dye, 
It seems, whilst leaning on the sky, 
Part of the heaven to which 'tis nigh ; 
But passion, like the wild March rain, 
May soil the wreath with many a stain. 
We gaze — the lovely vision's gone — 
A torrent fills the bed of stone, 
That, hurrying to destruction's shock, 
Leaps headlong from the lofty rock." 

The Udaller heard this reply with high resentment. " By the bones 
of the Martyr," he said, his brave visage becoming suddenly ruddy, 
" this is an abuse of courtesy ! and were it any but yourself that had 
classed my daughter's name and the word destruction together, they 
had better have left the word unspoken. But come forth of the tent, 
thou old galchagon," * he added, with a smile — " I should have known 
that thou canst not long joy in anything that smacks of mirth, God help 
thee !" His summons received no answer ; and, after waiting a moment, 
he again addressed her — " Fay, never be sullen with me, kinswoman, 
though I did speak a hasty word — thou knowest I bear malice to no 
one, least of all to thee— so come forth, and let us shake hands. — Thou 
mightst have foretold the wreck of my ship and boats, or a bad herring- 
fishery, and I should have said never a word ; but Minna or Brenda, 
you know, are things which touch me nearer. But come out, shake 
hands, and there let there be an end on't." 

Noma returned no answer whatever to his repeated invocations, and 
the company began to look upon each other with some surprise, when 
the Udaller, raising the skin which covered the entrance of the tent, 
discovered that the interior was empty. The wonder was now general, 
and not unmixed with fear ; for it seemed impossible that Noma could 
have, in any manner, escaped from the tabernacle in which she was 
inclosed without having been discovered by the company. Gone, how- 
ever, she was, and the Udaller, after a moment's consideration, dropt 
the skin-curtain again over the entrance of the tent. 

" My friends," he said, with a cheerful countenance, " we have long 
known my kinswoman, and that her ways are not like those of the 
ordinary folks of this world. But she means well by Hialtland, and 
hath the love of a sister for me and for my house ; and no guest of mine 
needs either to fear evil or to take offence at her hand. I have little 
doubt she will be with us at dinner-time." 

" Now, Heaven forbid !" said Mrs Baby Yellow! ey— " for, my gude 
Leddy Glowrowrum, to tell your leddysh'ip the truth, I likena cum- 
mers that can come and gae like a glance of the sun or the whisk of a 
whirlwind." 

" Speak lower, speak lower," said the Lady Glowrowrum, "and be 
thankful that yon carlin liasna ta'en the house-side away wi' her. The 

1 Galdra Kinna—tlie Norse for a sorceress. 



THE PIRATE. 169 

like of her have played warse pranks, and so has she hersell, unless she 
is the sairer lied on." 

Similar murmurs ran through the rest of the company, until the 
Udaller uplifted his stentorian and imperative voice to put them to 
silence, and invited, or rather commanded, the attendance of his guests 
to behold the boats set off for the haaf or deep-sea fishing. 

" The wind has been high since sunrise," he said, "and had kept the 
boats in the bay; but now it was favourable, and they would sail 
immediately." 

This sudden alteration of the weather occasioned sundry nods and 
winks amongst the guests, who were not indisposed to connect it with 
Noma's sudden disappearance ; but without giving vetit to observations 
which could not but be disagreeable to their host, they followed his 
stately step to the shore, as the herd of deer follows the leading stag, 
with all manner of respectful observance. 1 



CHAPTER XXII. 

There was a laughing devil in his sneer, 
That raised emotions both of rage and fear; 
And where his frown of hatred darkly fell, 
Hope withering fled — and Mercy sigh'd farewell. 

The Corsair, Canto I. 

The ling or white-fishery is the principal employment of the natives 
of Zetland, and was formerly that upon which the gentry chiefly de- 
pended for their income and the poor for their subsistence. The fishing 
season is therefore, like the harvest of an agricultural country, the 
busiest and most important, as well as the most animating, period of 
the year. 

The fishermen of each district assemble at particular stations, with 
their boats and crews, and erect upon the shore small huts, composed of 
shingle, and covered with turf, for their temporary lodging, and skeos, 
or drying-houses, for the fish ; so that the lonely beach at once assumes 
the appearance of an Indian town. The banks to which they repair 
for the Haaf fishing are often many miles distant from the station 
where the fish is dried ; so that they are always twenty or thirty hours 
absent, frequently longer; and under unfavourable circumstances of 
wind and tide, they remain at sea, with a very small stock of provisions, 
and in a boat of a construction which seems extremely slender, for two 
or three days, and are sometimes heard of no more. The departure 
of the fishers, therefore, on this occupation has in it a character of 
danger and of suffering which renders it dignified, and the anxiety of 
the females who remain on the beach, watching the departure of the 
lessening boat, or anxiously looking out for its return, gives pathos to 
the scene. 2 

The scene, therefore, was in busy and anxious animation when the 
Udaller and his friends appeared on the beach. The various crews of 

'See Note R. Fortune-telling Rhymes. - See Note S. Zetland Fishermen. 



1 70 THE PIRATE. 

about thirty boats, amounting each to from three to five or six men, 
were taking leave of their wives and female relatives, and jumping on 
board their long Norway skiffs, where their lines and tackle lay ready 
stowed. Magnus was not an idle spectator of the scene ; he went from 
one place to another, inquiring into the state of their provisions for the 
voyage, and their preparations for the fishing — now and then, with a 
rough Dutch or Norse oath, abusing them for blockheads, for going to 
sea with their boats indifferently found ; but always ending by order- 
ing from his own stores a gallon of gin, a lispund of meal, or some 
similar essential addition to their sea-stores. The hardy sailors, on 
receiving such favours, expressed their thanks in the brief gruff manner 
which their landlord best approved ; but the women were more clamor- 
ous in their gratitude, which Magnus was often obliged to silence by 
cursing all female tongues from Eve's downwards. 

At length all were on board and ready, the sails were hoisted, the 
signal for departure given, the rowers began to pull, and all started 
from the shore in strong emulation to get first to the fishing-ground, 
and to have their fines set before the rest ; an exploit to which no little 
consequence was attached by the boat's crew who should be happy 
enough to perform it. 

While they were yet within hearing of the shore, they chanted an 
ancient Norse ditty, appropriate to the occasion, of which Claud Halcro 
had executed the following literal translation : — 

1 ' Farewell, merry maidens, to song and to laugh, 
For the brave lads of Westra are bound to the Haaf; 
And we must have labour, and hunger, and pain, 
Ere we dance with the maids of Dunrossness again. 

" For now, in our trim boats of Noroway deal, 
We must dance on the waves, with the porpoise and seal 
The breeze it shall pipe, so it pipe not too high, 
And the gull be our songstress whene'er she flits by. 

" Sing on my brave bird, while we follow, like thee, 
By bank, shoal, and quicksand, the swarms of the sea; 
And when twenty-score fishes are straining our line, 
Sing louder, brave bird, for their spoils shall be thine. 



" We'll sing while we bait, and we'll sing when we haul, 
For the deeps of the Haaf have enough for us all ; 
There is torsk for the gentle, and skate for the carle, 
And there's wealth for bold Magnus, the son of the earl. 

" Huzza I my brave comrades, give way for the Haaf, 
We shall sooner come back to the dance and the laugh ; 
For life without mirth is a lamp without oil ; 
Then, mirth and long life to the bold Magnus Troil! " 



The rude words of the song were soon drowned in the ripple of „ 
waves, but the tune continued long to mingle with the sound of wind 
and sea, and the boats were like so many black specks on the surface of 
the ocean, diminishing by degrees as they bore far and farther seaward ; 
while the ear could distinguish touches of the human voice, almost 
drowned amid that of the elements. 

The fishermen's wives looked their last after the parting sails, and 
were now departing slowly, with downcast and anxious looks, towards 
the huts in which they were to make arrangements for preparing and 



the 



THE PIRATE. 



171 



drying the fish, with which they hoped to see their husbands and friends 
return deeply laden. Here and there an old sibyl displayed the superior 
importance of her experience by predicting, from the appearance of the 
atmosphere, that the wind would be fan or foul, while others recom- 
mended a vow to the Kirk of St Ninians for the safety of their men 
and boats (an ancient Catholic superstition, not yet wholly abolished), 
and others, but in a low and timorous tone, regretted to their com- 
panions that Noma of Fitful-head had been suffered to depart in 
discontent that morning from Burgh-Westra, " and, of all days in the 
year, that they suld have contrived to give her displeasure on the first 
day of the white-fishing ! " 

The gentry, guests of Magnus Troil, having whiled away as much 
time as could be so disposed of in viewing the little armament set sail, 
and in conversing with the poor women who had seen their friends em- 
bark in it, began now to separate into various groups and parties, which 
strolled in different directions, as fancy led them, to enjoy what may 
be called the clair-obscure of a Zetland summer day, which, though 
without the brilliant sunshine that cheers other countries during the 
fine season, has a mild and pleasing character Of its own, that softens 
while it saddens landscapes, which, in their own lonely, bare, and mo- 
notonous tone, have something in them stern as well as barren. 

In one of the loneliest recesses of the coast, where a deep indenture 
of the rocks gave the tide access to the cavern, or, as it is called, the 
Helyer of Swartaster, Minna Troil was walking with Captain Cleveland. 
They had probably chosen that walk, as being little liable to interrap- 
tion from others ; for, as the force of the tide rendered the place unfit 
either for fishing or sailing, so it was not the ordinary resort of walkers, 
on account of its being the supposed habitation of a Mermaid, a race 
which Norwegian superstition invests with magical, as well as mis- 
chievous qualities. Here, therefore, Minna wandered with her lover. 

A small spot of milk-white sand, that stretched beneath one of the 
precipices which walled in the creek on either side, afforded them space 
for a dry, firm, and pleasant walk of about an hundred yards, termi- 
nated at one extremity by a dark stretch of the bay, which, scarce 
touched by the wind, seemed almost as smooth as glass, and which was 
seen from between two lofty rocks, the jaws of the creek, or indenture, 
that approached each other above, as if they wished to meet over the 
dark tide that separated them. The other end of their promenade was 
closed by ajofty and almost unscaleable precipice, the abode of hundreds 
of sea-fowl of different kinds, in the bottom of which the huge helyer, 
or sea-cave, itself yawned, as if for the purpose of swallowing up the 
advancing tide, which it seemed to receive into an abyss of immeasur- 
able depth and extent. The entrance to this dismal cavern consisted 
not in a single arch, as usual, but was divided into two by a huge 
pillar of natural rock, which, rising out of the sea, and extending to the 
top of the cavern, seemed to lend its support to the roof, and thus 
formed a double portal to the helyer, on which the fishermen and pea- 
sants had bestowed the rude name of the Devil's Nostrils. In this wild 
scene, lonely and undisturbed but by the clang of the sea-fowl, Cleve- 
land had already met with Minna Troil more than once ; for with her 
it was a favourite walk, as the objects which it presented agreed pecu- 



172 THE PIRATE. 

Marly with the love of the wild, the melancholy, and the wonderful. 
But now the conversation in which she was earnestly engaged was such 
as entirely to withdraw her attention, as well as that of her companion, 
from the scenery around them. 

" You cannot deny it," she said ; " you have given way to feelings 
respecting this young man which indicate prejudice and violence, — the 

})rejudice unmerited, as far as you are concerned at least, and the vio- 
ence equally imprudent and unjustifiable." 

"I should have thought," replied Cleveland, "that the service I 
rendered him yesterday might have freed me from such a charge. I do 
not talk of my own risk, for I have lived in danger, and love it ; it is 
not every one, however, would have ventured so near the furious ani- 
mal to save one with whom they had no connection." 

" It is not every one, indeed, who could have saved him," answered 
Minna, gravely ; " but every one who has courage and generosity would 
have attempted it. The giddy-brained Claud Halcro would have done 
as much as you had his strength been equal to his courage, — my father 
would have done as much, though having such just cause of resentment 
against the young man for Ms vain and braggart abuse of our hospi- 
tality. Do not, therefore, boast of your exploit too much, my good 
friend, lest you should make me think that it required too great an 
effort. I know you love not Mordaunt Mertoun, though you exposed 
your own life to save his." 

"Will you allow nothing, then," said Cleveland, "for the long 
misery I was made to endure from the common and prevailing report 
that this beardless bird-hunter stood betwixt me and what I on earth 
coveted most — the affections of Minna Troil ?" 

He spoke in a tone at once impassioned and insinuating, and his 
whole language and manner seemed to express a grace and elegance 
which formed the most striking contrast with the speech and gesture of 
the unpolished seaman, which lie usually affected or exhibited. But his 
apology was unsatisfactory to Minna. 

" You have known," she said, "perhaps too soon, and too well, how 
little you had to fear, — if you indeed feared, — that Mertoun, or any 
other/ had interest with Minna Troil. — Nay, truce to thanks and pro- 
testations ; I would accept it as the best proof of gratitude that you 
would be reconciled with this youth, or at least avoid every quarrel 
with him." 

" That we should be friends, Minna, is impossible," replied Cleve- 
land ; " even the love I bear you, the most powerful emotion that my 
heart ever knew, cannot work that miracle." 

"And why, I pray you?" said Minna; "there have been no evil 
offices between you, but rather an exchange of mutual services ; why 
can you not be friends ? — I have many reasons to wish it." 

" And can you, then, forget the slights which he has cast upon 
Brenda, and on yourself, and on your father's house ?" 

" I can forgive them all " said Minna ; — " can you not say so much, 
who have in truth received no offence?" 

Cleveland looked down, and paused for an instant ; then raised his 
head, and replied, " I might easily deceive you, Minna, and promise 
you what my soul tells me is an impossibility ; but I am forced to use 



THE PIRATE. 173 

too much deceit with others, and with you I will use none. I cannot 
be friend to this young man; — there is a natural dislike — an in- 
stinctive aversion — something like a principle of repulsion in our mutual 
nature, which makes us odious to each other. Ask himself— he will tell 
you he has the same antipathy against me. The obligation he conferred 
on me was a bridle to my resentment ; but I was so galled by the re- 
straint that I could have gnawed the curb till my lips were bloody." 

" You have worn what you are wont to call your iron mask so long, 
that your features," replied Minna, "retain the impressions of its 
rigidity even when it is removed." 

"You do me injustice, Minna," replied her lover, "and you are 
angry with me because I deal with you plainly and honestly. Plainly 
and honestly, however, will I say that I cannot be Mertoun's friend, 
but it shall be his own fault, not mine, if I am ever his enemy. I seek 
not to injure him ; but do not ask me to love him. And of this remain 
satisfied, that it would be vain even if I could do so ; for as sure as I 
attempted any advances towards his confidence, so sure would I be to 
awaken his disgust and suspicion. Leave us to the exercise of our 
natural feelings, which, as they will unquestionably keep us as far 
separate as possible, are most likely to prevent any possible interference 
with each other. — Does this satisfy you ?" 

" It must," said Minna, " since you tell me there is no remedy. — 
And now tell me why you looked so grave when you heard of your con- 
sort's arrival — for that it is her I have no doubt — in the port of Kirk- 
wall?" 

" I fear," replied Cleveland, " the consequences of that vessel's 
arrival with her crew, as comprehending the ruin of my fondest hopes. 
I had mad£ some progress in your father's favour, and, with time, 
might have made more, when hither come Hawkins and the rest to 
blight my prospects for ever. I told you on what terms we parted. I 
then commanded a vessel braver and better found than their own, with 
a crew who, at my slightest nod, would have faced fiends armed with 
their own fiery element ; but I now stand alone, a single man, destitute 
of all means to overawe or to restrain them ; and they will soon show 
so plainly the ungovernable license of their habits and dispositions, 
that ruin to themselves and to me will in all probability be tne conse- 
quence." 

" Do not fear it," said Minna ; " my father can never be so unjust 
as to hold you liable for the offences of others." 

" But what will Magnus Troil say to my own demerits, fair Minna ?" 
said Cleveland, smiling. 

" My father is a Zetlander, or rather a Norwegian," said Minna, 
" one of an oppressed race, who will not care whether you fought against 
the Spaniards, who are the tyrants of the New World, or against the 
Dutch and English, who have succeeded to their usurped dominions. 
His own ancestors supported and exercised the freedom of the seas in 
those gallant barks Avhose pennons were the dread of all Europe." 

" I fear, nevertheless," said Cleveland, " that the descendant of an 
ancient Sea-king will scarce acknowledge a fitting acquaintance in a 
modern rover. I have not disguised from you that I have reason to 
dread the English laws ; and Magnus, though a great enemy to taxes, 



174 THE PIRATE. 

imposts, scat, wattle, and so forth, has no idea of latitude upon points 
of a more general character ; he would willingly reeve a rope to the 
yard-arm for the benefit of an unfortunate bucanier." 

" Do not suppose so," said Minna ; " he himself suffers too much 
oppression from the tyrannical laws of our proud neighbours of Scot- 
land. I trust he will soon be able to rise in resistance against them. 
The enemy — such I will call them— are now divided amongst them- 
selves, and every vessel from their coast brings intelligence of fresh 
commotions — the Highlands against the Lowlands — the Williamites 
against the Jacobites — the Whigs against the Tories — and, to sum the 
whole, the kingdom of England against that of Scotland. What is 
there, as Claud Halcro well hinted, to prevent our availing ourselves of 
the quarrels of these robbers to assert the independence of which we 
are deprived ?" 

"To hoist the raven standard on the Castle of Scalloway," said 
Cleveland, in imitation of her tone and manner, " and proclaim your 
father Earl Magnus the First !" 

" Earl Magnus the Seventh, if it please you," replied Minna ; " for 
six of his ancestors have worn, or were entitled to wear, the coronet be- 
fore him. — You laugh at my ardour, — but what is there to prevent all 
this?" . 

"Nothing will prevent it," replied Cleveland, "because it will never 
be attempted — Anything might prevent it that is equal in strength to 
the long-boat of a British man-of-war." 

" You treat us with scorn, sir," replied Minna ; " yet yourself should 
know what a few resolved men may perform." 

" But they must be armed, Minna," replied Cleveland, " and willing 
to place their lives upon each desperate adventure. — Think not of such 
visions. Denmark has been cut down into a second-rate kingdom, in- 
capable of exchanging a single broadside with England ; Norway is a 
starving wilderness ; and, in these islands, the love of independence has 
been suppressed by a long term of subjection, or shows itself but in a 
few muttered growls over the bowl and bottle. — And, were your men 
as willing warriors as their ancestors, what could the unarmed crews of 
a few fishing-boats do against the British navy 1 — Think no more of it, 
sweet Minna, — it is a dream, and I must term it so, though it makes 
your eye so bright and your step so noble." 

" It is indeed a dream !" said Minna, looking down, "and it ill be- 
comes a daughter of Hialtland to look or to move like a freewoman. Our 
eye should be on the ground, and our step slow and reluctant as that 
of one who obeys a taskmaster." 

" There are lands," said Cleveland, " in which the eye may look 
bright upon groves of the palm and the cocoa, and where the foot may 
move, light as a galley under sail, over fields carpeted with flowers, 
and savannahs surrounded by aromatic thickets, and where subjection 
is unknown, except that of the brave to the bravest, and of all to the 
most beautiful." 

Minna paused a moment ere she replied, and then answered, " No, 
Cleveland. My own rude country has charms for me, even desolate as 
you think it, and depressed as it surely is, which no other land on earth 
can offer to me. I endeavour in vain to represent to myself those 






THE PIRATE. 175 

visions of trees and of groves, which my eye never saw ; but my imagi- 
nation can conceive no sight in nature more sublime than these waves, 
when agitated by a storm, or more beautiful than when they come, as 
they now do, rolling in calm tranquillity to the shore. Not the fairest 
scene in a foreign land, — not the brightest sunbeam that ever shone 
upon the richest landscape, would win my thoughts for a moment from 
that lofty rock, misty hill, and wide-rolling ocean. Hialtland is the 
land of my deceased ancestors, and of my living father ; and in Hialt- 
land will I live and die." 

" Then in Hialtland," answered Cleveland, "will I too live and die. 
I will not go to Kirkwall, — I will not make my existence known to my 
comrades, from whom it were else hard for me to escape. Your father 
loves me, Minna ; who knows whether long attention, anxious care, 
might not bring him to receive me into his family 1 Who would regard 
the length of a voyage that was certain to terminate in happiness V 

" Dream not of such an issue," said Minna ; "it is impossible. While 
you live in my father's house — while you receive his assistance, and 
share his table, you will find him the generous friend and the hearty 
host ; but touch him on what concerns his name and family, and the 
frank-hearted Udaller will start up before you the haughty and proud 
descendant of a Norwegian Jarl. See you, a moment's suspicion has 
fallen on Mordaunt Mertoun, and he has banished from his favour the 
youth whom he so lately loved as a son. No one must ally with Ms 
house that is not of untainted northern descent." 

" And mine may be so for aught that is known to me upon the sub- 
ject," said Cleveland. 

" How !" said Minna ; " have you any reason to believe yourself of 
Norse descent ?" 

" I have told you before," replied Cleveland, " that my family is 
totally unknown to me. I spent my earliest days upon a solitary plan- 
tation in the little island of Tortuga, under the charge of my father, 
then a different person from what he afterwards became. We were 
plundered by the Spaniards, and reduced to such extremity of poverty 
that my father, in desperation and in thirst of revenge, took up arms, 
and having become a chief of a little band who were in the same cir- 
cumstances, became a bucanier, as it is called, and cruised against 
Spain, with various vicissitudes of good and bad fortune, until, while he 
interfered to check some violence of his companions, he fell by their 
hands — no uncommon fate among the captains of these rovers. But 
whence my father came, or what was the place of his birth, I know not, 
fair Minna, nor have I ever had a curious thought on the subject." 

" He was a Briton, at least, your unfortunate father '?" said Minna. 

" I have no doubt of it," said Cleveland ; " his name, which I have 
rendered too formidable to be openly spoken, is an English one ; and 
his acquaintance with the English language, and even with English 
literature, together with the pains which he took, in better days, to 
teach me both, plainly spoke him to be an Englishman. If the rude 
bearing which I display towards others is not the genuine character of 
my mmd and manners, it is to my father, Minna, that I owe any share 
of better thoughts and principles, which may render me worthy, in 
some small degree, of your notice and approbation. And yet it some 



176 THE PIRATE. 

times seems to me that I have two different characters ; for I cannc 
bring myself to believe that I, who now walk this lone beach with th 
lovely Minna Troil, and am permitted to speak to her of the passio 
which I have cherished, have ever been the daring leader of the bol 
band whose name was as terrible as a tornado." 

" You had not been permitted," said Minna, " to use that bold Ian 
guage towards the daughter of Magnus Troil, had you not been th 
brave and undaunted leader who, with so small means, has made hi 
name so formidable. My heart is like that of a maiden of the ancien 
days, and is to be won not by fair words, but by gallant deeds." 

"Alas! that heart," said Cleveland; "and what is it that I ma 
do— what is it that man can do, to win in it the interest which I de 
sire?" 

" Rejoin your friends — pursue your fortunes — leave the rest to des 
tiny," said Minna. " Should you return, the leader of a gallant fleet 
who can tell what may befall V 

"And what shall assure me that, when I return — if return I eve 
shall — I may not find Minna Troil a bride or a spouse ? — No, Minna 
I will not trust to destiny the only object worth attaining which nn 
stormy voyage in life has yet offered me." 

"Hear me," said Minna. "I will bind myself to you, if you darj 
accept such an engagement, by the promise of Odin, 1 the most sacre* 
of our northern rites which are yet practised among us, that I wi] 
never favour another until you resign the pretensions which I hav 
given to you.— Will that satisfy you? — for more I cannot — more I will 
not give." 

. " Then with that," said Cleveland, after a moment's pause, " I mns 
perforce be satisfied ; — but remember, it is yourself that throw me bad 
upon a mode of life which the laws of Britain denounce as criminal 
and which the violent passions of the daring men by whom it is pur 
sued have rendered infamous." 

" But I," said Minna, " am superior to such prejudices. In warring 
with England, I see their laws in no other light than as if you wer 
engaged with an enemy who, in fulness of pride and power, has declarei 
he will give his antagonist no quarter. A brave man Avill not fight th< 
worse for this ; — and, for the manners of your comrades, so that the: 
do not infect your own, why should their evil report attach to you ?" 

Cleveland gazed at her, as she spoke, with a degree of wondering ad 
miration, in which, at the same time, there lurked a smile at her sim 
plicity. 

" I could not," he said, "have believed that such high courage couh 
have been found united with such ignorance of the world, as the work 
is now wielded. For my manners, they who best know me will readih 
allow that I have done my best, at the risk of my popularity, and o 
my life itself, to mitigate the ferocity of my mates ; but how can yoi. 
teach humanity to men burning with vengeance against the world b; 
whom they are proscribed, or teach them temperance and moderation ii- 
enjoying the pleasures which chance throws in their way, to vary a liii 
which would be otherwise one constant scene of peril and hardship?— 
But this promise, Minna— this promise, which is all I am to receive ii 

1 See Note T. Promise of Odin. 



THE PIRATE. 177 

guerdon for my faithful attachment — let me at least lose no time in 

claiming that." 

" It must not be rendered here, but in Kirkwall. — We must invoke, 

to witness the engagement, the Spirit which presides over the ancient 

circle of Stennis. But perhaps you fear to name the ancient Father 

of tne Slain, too, the Severe, the Terrible ?" 
Cleveland smiled. 
"Do me the justice to think, lovely Minna, that I am little subject 

to fear real causes of terror ; and for those which are visionary I have 

no sympathy whatever." 
"You believe not in them, then," said Minna, " and are so far better 

suited to be Brenda's lover than mine." 
" I will believe," replied Cleveland, " in whatever you believe. The 

whole inhabitants of that Valhalla, about which you converse so much 
vith that fiddling, rhyming fool, Claud Halcro — all these shall become 
iving and existing things to my credulity. But, Minna, do not ask 
ne to fear any of them." 
"Fear! no — not to fear them, surely," replied the maiden; "for, 

not before Thor or Odin, when they approached in the fulness of their 

terrors, did the heroes of my dauntless race yield one foot in retreat. 
Sor do I own them as Deities — a better faith prevents so foul an error. 

But, in our own conception, they are powerful spirits for good or evil. 
\nd when you boast not to fear them, bethink you that you defy an 
;nemy of a kind you have never yet encountered." 

"itat in these northern latitudes," said the lover, with a smile, 
' where hitherto I have seen but angels ; but I have faced, in my time, 
he demons of the Equinoctial Line, which we rovers suppose to be as 
jowerful, and as malignant, as those of the North." 

" Have you, then, witnessed those wonders that are beyond the visi- 
»le world ?" said Minna, with some degree of awe. 

Cleveland composed his countenance, and replied, — " A short while 
>efore my father's death, I came, though then very young, into the 
ommand of a sloop, manned with thirty as desperate fellows as ever 
landled a musket. We cruised for a long while with bad success, 
aking nothing but wretched small-craft, which were destined to catch 
urtle, or otherwise loaded with coarse and worthless trumpery. I had 
inch ado to prevent my comrades from avenging upon the crews of 
hose baubling shallops the disappointment which they had occasioned 
o us. At length we grew desperate, and made a descent on a village, 
'here, we were told, we should intercept the mules of a certain Spanish 
overnor laden with treasure. We succeeded in carrying the place ; 
ut while I endeavoured to save the inhabitants from the fury of my 
ollowers, the muleteers, with their precious cargo, escaped into the 
eighbouring woods. This filled up the measure of my unpopularity. 
ly people, who had been long discontented, became openly mutinous. 

T was deposed from my command, in solemn council, and condemned, 

m having too little luck and too much humanity for the profession I 
ad undertaken, to be marooned, 1 as the phrase goes, on one of those 
ttle sandy, bushy islets, which are called, in the West Indies, keys, 

1 To maroon a seaman signified to abandon him on a desolate coast or island— a 
f.ece of cruelty often practised by pirates and bucaniers. 

M 



178 THE PIRATE. 

and which are frequented only by turtle and by sea-fowl. Many of them 
are supposed to be haunted — some by the demons worshipped by the 
old inhabitants — some by Caciques and others, whom the Spaniards 
had put to death by torture, to compel them to discover their hidden 
treasures — and others by the various spectres in which sailors of all 
nations have implicit faith. 1 My place of banishment, called Coffin- 
key, about two leagues and a half to the south-east of Bermudas, was 
so infamous as the resort of these supernatural inhabitants, that I be- 
lieve the wealth of Mexico would not have persuaded the bravest of 
the scoundrels who put me ashore there to have spent an hour on the 
islet alone, even in broad daylight; and when they rowed off, they 
pulled for the sloop like men that dared not cast their eyes behind 
them. And there they left me, to subsist as I might, on a speck of 
unproductive sand, surrounded by the boundless Atlantic, and haunted, 
as they supposed, by malignant demons." 

" And what was the consequence?" said Minna, eagerly. 

" I supported life," said the adventurer, " at the expense of such sea- 
fowl, aptly called boobies, as were silly enough to let me approach so 
near as to knock them down with a stick ; and by means of turtle-eggs, 
when these complaisant birds became better acquainted with the mis- 
chievous disposition of the human species, and more shy, of course, of 
my advances." 

" And the demons of whom you spoke ?" — continued Minna. 

" I had my secret apprehensions upon their account," said Cleveland : 
" In open daylight, or in absolute darkness, I did not greatly apprehend 
then approach ; but in the misty dawn of the morning, or when even- 
ing was about to fall, I saw, for the first week of my abode on the key, 
many a dim and undefined spectre, now resembling a Spaniard, with 
his capa wrapped around him, and his huge sombrero, as large as an 
umbrella, upon his head, — now a Dutch sailor, with his rough cap and 
trunk hose, — and now an Indian Cacique, with his feathery crown and 
long lance of cane." 

"Did you not approach and address them ?" said Minna. 

" I always approached them," replied the seaman ; " but,— I grieve 
to disappoint your expectations, my fair friend,— whenever I drew near 
them, the phantom changed into a bush, or a piece of driftwood, or a 
wreath of mist, or some such cause of deception, until at last I was 
taught by experience to cheat myself no longer with such visions, and 
continued a solitary inhabitant of Coffin-key, as little alarmed by vi- 
sionary terrors as I ever was in the great cabin of a stout vessel, with 
a score of companions around me." 

" You have cheated me into listening to a tale of nothing, said 
Minna ; " but how long did you continue on the island ?" 

" Four weeks of wretched existence," said Cleveland, "when I was 
relieved by the crew of a vessel which came thither a-turtling. Yet my 
miserable seclusion was not entirely useless to me ; for on that spot of 

i An elder brother, now no more, who was educated in the navy, and had been a 
midshipman in Rodney's squadron in the West Indies, used to astonish the aiitnor 3 
boyhood with tales of those haunted islets. On one of them, called, I believe, Coffln- 
key, the seamen positively refused to pass the night, and came off every evening 
while they were engaged iu completing the watering of the vessel, returning the lol- 
loping sunrise. 



THE PIRATE. 179 

barren sand I found, or rather forged, the iron mask, which has since 
been my chief security against treason, or mutiny of my followers. It 
was there I formed the resolution to seem no softer hearted nor better 
instructed — no more humane and no more scrupulous, than those with 
whom fortune had leagued me. I thought over my former story, and 
saw that seeming more brave, skilful, and enterprising than others had 
gained me command and respect, and that seeming more gently nur- 
tured and more civilized than they had made them envy and hate me 
as a being of another species. I bargained with myself, then, that since 
I could not lay aside my superiority of intellect and education, I would 
do my best to disguise and to sink in the rude seaman all appearance 
of better feeling and better accomplishments. I foresaw then what has 
since happened, that, under the appearance of daring obduracy, I should 
acquire such a habitual command over my followers that I might use it 
for the insurance of discipline, and for relieving the distresses of the 
wretches who fell under our power. I saw, in short, that, to attain 
authority, I must assume the external semblance, at least, 01 those over 
whom it was to be exercised. The tidings of my father's fate, while it 
excited me to wrath and to revenge, confirmed the resolution I had 
adopted. He also had fallen a victim to his superiority of mind, morals, 
and manners, above those whom he commanded. They were wont to 
call him the Gentleman ; and, unquestionably, they thought he waited 
some favourable opportunity to reconcile himself, perhaps at their ex- 
pense, to those existing forms of society his habits seemed best to suit 
with, and, even therefore, they murdered him. Nature and justice alike 
called on me for revenge. I was soon at the head of a new body of ad- 
venturers, who are so numerous in those islands. I sought not after 
those by whom I had been myself marooned, but after the wretches 
who had betrayed my father ; and on them I took a revenge so severe 
that it was of itself sufficient to stamp me with the character of that 
inexorable ferocity which I was desirous to be thought to possess, and 
which, perhaps, was gradually creeping on my natural disposition in actual 
earnest. My manner, speech, and conduct seemed so totally changed, 
that those who formerly knew me were disposed to ascribe the altera- 
tion to my intercourse with the demons who haunted the sands of 
Coffin-key ; nay, there were some superstitious enough to believe that 
I had actually formed a league with them." 

" I tremble to hear the rest !" said Minna ; "did you not become the 
monster of courage and cruelty whose character you assumed ?" 

" If I have escaped being so, it is to you, Minna," replied Cleveland, 
" that the wonder must be ascribed. It is true, I have always endea- 
voured to distinguish myself rather by acts of adventurous valour than 
by schemes of revenge or of plunder, and that at length I could save 
lives by a rude jest, and sometimes, by the excess of the measures which 
I myself proposed, could induce those under me to intercede in favour 
of prisoners ; so that the seeming severity of my character has better 
served the cause of humanity than had I appeared directly devoted to 
it." 

He ceased, and, as Minna replied not a word, both remained silent 
for a little space, when Cleveland again resumed the discourse : — 

" You are silent," he said, " Miss Troil, and I have injured myself 



180 THE PIRATE. 

in your opinion by the frankness with which I have laid my character 
before you. I may truly say that my natural disposition has been con- 
trolled, but not altered, by the untoward circumstances in which I am 
placed." 

" I am uncertain," said Minna, after a moment's consideration, 
" whether you had been thus candid had you not known I should soon 
see your comrades, and discover, from their conversation and their man- 
ners, what you would otherwise gladly have concealed." 

" You do me injustice, Minna, cruel injustice. From the instant 
that you knew me to be a sailor of fortune, an adventurer, a bucanier, 
or, if you will have the broad word, a pie ate, what had you to expect 
less than what I have told you ?" 

" You speak too truly," said Minna — " all this I might have anti- 
cipated, and I know not how I should have expected it otherwise. But 
it seemed to me that a war on the cruel and superstitious Spaniards 
had in it something ennobling — something that refined the fierce em- 
ployment to which you have just now given its true and dreaded name. 
I thought that the independent warriors of the Western Ocean, raised 
up, as it were, to punish the wrongs of so many murdered and plundered 
tribes, must have had something of gallant elevation, like that of the 
Sons of the North, whose long galleys avenged on so many coasts the 
oppressions of degenerate Rome. This I thought, and this I dreamed 
— I grieve that I am awakened and undeceived. Yet I blame you not 
for the erring of my own fancy. — Farewell ; we must now part." 

" Say at least," said Cleveland, " that you do not hold me in horror 
for having told you the truth." 

" I must have time for reflection," said Minna, " time to weigh what 
you have said, ere I can fully understand my own feelings. Thus much, 
however, I can say even now, that he who pursues the wicked purpose 
of plunder by means of blood and cruelty, and who must veil his re- 
mains of natural remorse under an affectation of superior profligacy, is 
not, and cannot be, the lover whom Minna Troil expected to find in 
Cleveland ; and if she still love him, it must be as a penitent, and not 
as a hero." 

So saying, she extricated herself from his grasp (for he still endea- 
voured to detain her), making an imperative sign to him to forbear from 
following her. — " She is gone," said Cleveland, looking after her ; " wild 
and fanciful as she is, I expected not this. — She startled not at the 
name of my perilous course of life, yet seems totally unprepared for the 
evil which must necessarily attend it ; and so all the merit 1 have gained 
by my resemblance to a Norse Champion or Sing of the Sea is to be 
lost at once, because a gang of pirates do not prove to be a choir of 
saints. I would that Rackam, Hawkins, and the rest, had been at the 
bottom of the Race of Portland— I would the Pentland Frith had swept 
them to hell rather than to Orkney ! I will not, however, quit the 
chase of this angel for all that these fiends can do. I will — I must to 
Orkney before the Udaller makes his voyage thither — our meeting 
might alarm even his blunt understanding, although, thank Heaven, 
in this wild country men know the nature of our trade only by hearsay, 
through our honest friends the Dutch, who take care never to speak 
very ill of those they make money by. — Well, if fortune would but stand 



THE PIRATE. 181 

my friend with this beautiful enthusiast, I would pursue her wheel no 
farther at sea, but set myself down amongst these rocks, as happy as 
if they were so many groves of bananas and palmettoes." 

With these and such thoughts, half rolling in his bosom, half ex- 
pressed in indistinct hints and murmurs, the pirate Cleveland returned 
to the mansion of Burgh- Westra. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

There was shaking of hands and sorrow of heart, 
For the hour was approaching when merry folks must part : 
So we call'd for our horses, and ask'd for our way, 
While the jolly old landlord said, " Nothing's to pay." 

Lilliput, a Poem. 

We do not dwell upon the festivities of the day, which had nothing 
in them to interest the reader particularly. - The table groaned under 
the usual plenty, which was disposed of by the guests with the usual 
appetite — the bowl of punch was filled and emptied with the same 
celerity as usual — the men quaffed and the women laughed — Claud 
Halcro rhymed, punned, and praised John Dryden — the UdalJer bum- 
pered and sung choruses— and the evening concluded, as usual,, in the 
Kigging-loft, as it was Magnus Troil's pleasure to term the dancing 
apartment. 

It was then and there that Cleveland, approaching Magnus where 
he sat betwixt his two daughters, intimated his intention of going to 
Kirkwall in a small brig, which Bryce Snailsfoot, who had disposed of 
his goods with unprecedented celerity, had freighted thither, to procure 
a supply. 

Magnus heard the sudden proposal of his guest with surprise, notun- 
mingled with displeasure, and demanded sharply of Cleveland how 
long it was since he had learned to prefer Bryce Snailsfoot' s company 
to his own ? Cleveland answered, with his usual bluntness of manner, 
that time and tide tarried for no one, and that he had his own particu- 
lar reasons for making his trip to Kirkwall sooner than the Udaller 
proposed to set sail — that he hoped to meet with him and his daughters 
at the great fair, which was now closely approaching, and might perhaps 
find it possible to return to Zetland along with them. 

While he spoke this Brenda kept her eye as much upon her sister as 
it was possible to do, without exciting general observation. She re- 
marked" that Minna's pale cheek became yet paler while Cleveland spoke, 
and that she seemed, by compressing her lips, and slightly knitting 
her brows, to be in the act of repressing the effects of strong interior 
emotion. But she spoke not; and wlien Cleveland, having bidden 
adieu to the Udaller, approached to salute her, as was then the cus- 
tom, she received his farewell without trusting herself to attempt a reply. 

Brenda had her own trial approaching ; for Mordaunt Mertoun, once 
so much loved by her father, was now in the act of making his cold 
parting from him, without receiving a single look of friendly regard. 
There was, indeed, sarcasm in the tone with which Magnus wished the 
youth a good journey, and recommended to him, if he met a bonny lass 



182 THE PIRATE. 

by the way, not to dream that she was in love because she chanced to 
jest with him. Mertoun coloured at what he felt as an insult, 
though it was but half intelligible to him ; but he remembered Brenda, 
and suppressed every feeling of resentment. He proceeded to take his 
leave of the sisters. Minna, whose heart was considerably softened to- 
wards him, received his farewell with some degree of interest; but 
Brenda' s grief was so visible in the kindness of her manner, and the 
moisture which gathered in her eye, that it was noticed even by the 
Udaller, who exclaimed, half angrily, " Why, ay ; lass, that may be right 
enough, for he was an old acquaintance ; but mind ! I have no will that 
he remain one." 

Mertoun, who was slowly leaving the apartment, half overheard 
this disparaging observation, and half turned round to resent it. But 
his purpose failed him when he saw that Brenda had been obliged to 
have recourse to her handkerchief to hide her emotion, and the sense 
that it was excited by his departure obliterated every thought of 
her father's unkindness. He retired — the other guests followed his 
example ; and many of them, like Cleveland and himself, took their 
leave over-night, with the intention of commencing their homeward 
journey on the succeeding morning. 

That night, the mutual sorrow of Minna and Brenda, if it could not 
wholly remove the reserve which had estranged the sisters from each 
other, at least melted all its frozen and unkindly symptoms. They 
wept in each other's arms ; and though neither spoke, yet each became 
dearer to the other ; because they felt that the grief which called forth 
these drops had a source common to them both. 

It is probable, that though Brenda' s tears were most abundant, the 
grief of Minna was most deeply seated ; for, long after the younger had 
sobbed herself asleep like a child, upon her sister's bosom, Minna lay 
awake, watching the dubious twilight, while tear after tear slowly 
gathered in her eye, and found a current down her cheek, as soon as it 
became too heavy to be supported by her long black silken eyelashes. 
As she lay bewildered among the sorroAvful thoughts which supplied 
these tears, she was surprised to distinguish, beneath the window, the 
sounds of music. At first she supposed it was some freak of Claud 
Ilalcro, whose fantastic humour sometimes indulged itself in such sere- 
nades. But it was not the gue of the old minstrel, but the guitar, that 
she heard ; an instrument which none in the island knew how to 
touch except Cleveland, who had learned, in his intercourse with the 
South American Spaniards, to play on it with superior execution. 
Perhaps it was in these climates also that he had learned the song, 
which, though he now sung it under the window of a maiden of Thule, 
had certainly never been composed for the native of a climate so 
northerly and so severe, since it spoke of productions of the earth and 
skies which are there unknown. 

1. 

" Love wakes and weeps 

While Beauty sleeps: 
Ofor Music's softest numbers, 

To prompt a theme, 

For Beauty's dream, 
Soft as the pillow of her slumbers 



THE PIKATE. 183 

2. 

' ' Through groves of palm 
Sigh gales of balm, 
Fire-flies on the air are wheeling; 
While through the gloom 
Comes soft perfume, 
The distant beds of flowers revealing. 
3. 
" wake and live, 
No dream can give 
A shadow'd bliss, the real excelling; 
No longer sleep, 
From lattice peep, 
And list the tale that Love is telling ! " 

The voice of Cleveland was deep, rich, and manly, and accorded well 
with the Spanish air, to which the words, probably a translation from 
the same language, had been adapted. His invocation would not pro- 
bably have been fruitless could Minna have arisen without awakening 
her sister. But that was impossible ; for Brenda, who, as we have al- 
ready mentioned, had wept bitterly before she had sunk into repose, 
now lay with her face on her sister's neck, and one arm stretched around 
her, in the attitude of a child which has cried itself asleep in the arms 
of its nurse. It was impossible for Minna to extricate herself from her 
grasp without awaking her ; and she could not, therefore, execute her 
hasty purpose of donning her gown, and approaching the window to 
speak with Cleveland, who, she had no doubt, had resorted to this con- 
trivance to procure an interview. The restraint was sufficiently pro- 
voking, for it was more than probable that her lover came to take his 
last farewell ; but that Brenda, inimical as she seemed to be of late 
towards Cleveland, should awake and witness it, was a thought not to 
be endured. 

There was a short pause, in which Minna endeavoured more than 
once, with as much gentleness as possible, to unclasp Brenda's arm 
from her neck ; but whenever she attempted it the slumberer muttered 
some little pettish sound, like a child disturbed in its sleep, winch suf- 
ficiently showed that perseverance in the attempt would awaken her 
fully. 

To her great vexation, therefore, Minna was compelled to remain 
still and silent : when her lover, as if determined upon gaining her 
ear by music of another strain, sung the following fragment of a sea- 
ditty : — 

" Farewell 1 Farewell ! the voice you hear, 
Has left its last soft tone with you — 
Its next must join the seaward cheer, 
And shout among the shouting crew. 

"The accents which I scarce could form 
Beneath your frown's controlling check, 
Must give the word, above the storm, 
To cut the mast, and clear the wreck. 

"The timid eye I dared not raise — ■ 

The hand that shook when pressed to thine, 
Must point the guns upon the chase — 
Must bid the deadly cutlass shine. 

** To all I love, or hope, or fear- 
Honour, or own, a long adieu 1 



184 THE PIRAT& 

To all that life has soft and dear, 
Farewell ! save memory of you I" ' 

He was again silent ; and again she, to whom the serenade was ad- 
dressed, strove in vain to arise without rousing her sister. It was im- 
possible ; and she had nothing before her but the unhanpy thought 
that Cleveland was taking leave in his desolation without a single glance 
or a single word. He, too, whose temper was so fiery, yet who sub- 
jected his violent mood with such sedulous attention to her will,— 
could she but have stolen a moment to say adieu — to caution him 
against new quarrels with Mertoun — to implore him to detach himself 
from such comrades as he had described, — could she but have done this, 
who could say what effect such parting admonitions might have had 
upon his character — nay, upon the future events of his life ? 

Tantalized by such thoughts, Minna was about to make another and 
decisive effort, when she heard voices beneath the window, and thought 
she could distinguish that they were those of Cleveland and Mertoun 
speaking in a sharp tone, which, at the same time, seemed cautiously 
suppressed, as if the speakers feared being overheard. Alarm now 
mingled with her former desire to rise from bed, and she accomplished 
at once the purpose which she had so often attempted in vain. Brenda's 
arm was unloosed from her sister's neck, without the sleeper receiving 
more alarm than provoked two or three unintelligible murmurs ; while, 
with equal speed and silence, Minna put on some part of her dress with 
the intention to steal to the window. But, ere she could accomplish 
this, the sound of the voices without was exchanged for that of blows 
and struggling, which terminated suddenly by a deep groan. 

Terrified at this last signal of mischief, Minna sprung to the window 
and endeavoured to open it, for the persons were so close under the 
walls of the house that she could not see them ? save by putting her 
head out of the casement. The iron hasp was stiff" and rusted, and, as 
generally happens, the haste with which she laboured to undo it only 
rendered the task more difficult. When it was accomplished, and Minna 
had eagerly thrust her body half out at the casement, those who had 
created the sounds which alarmed her were become invisible, excepting 
that she saw a shadow cross the moonlight, the substance of which 
must have been in the act of turning a corner, which concealed it from 
her sight. The shadow moved slowly, and seemed that of a man who 
supported another upon his shoulders ; an indication which put the 
climax to Minna's agony of mind. The window was not above eight 
feet from the ground, and she hesitated not to throw herself from it 
hastily and to pursue the object which had excited her terror. 

But when she came to the corner of the buildings from which the 
shadow seemed to have been projected, she discovered nothing which 
could point out the way that the figure had gone ; and, after a moment's 
consideration, became sensible that all attempts at pursuit would be 
alike wild and fruitless. Besides all the projections and recesses of the 
many-angled mansion and its numerous offices— besides the various 
cellars, store-houses, stables, and so forth, which defied her solitary 
search, there was a range of low rocks stretching down to the haven, 

1 I cannot suppress the wide of saying that these lines have been beautifully set to 
origin;, music, by Mrs Arkwrisht of Derbyshire. 



THE PIRATE. 185 

and which were, in fact, a continuation of the ridge which formed its 
pier. These rocks had many indentures, hollows, and caverns, into 
any ©ne of which the figure to which the shadow belonged might have 
retired with his fatal burden ; for fatal, she feared, it was most likely 
to prove. 

A moment's reflection, as we have said, convinced Minna of the folly 
of further pursuit. Her next thought was to alarm the family ; but 
what tale had she to tell, and of whom was that tale to be told ? On 
the other hand, the wounded man— if indeed he were wounded— alas, 
if indeed he Avere not mortally wounded — might not be past the reach 
of assistance ; and with this idea she was about to raise her voice when 
she was interrupted by that of Claud Halcro, who was returning ap- 
parently from the haven, and singing in his manner a scrap of an old 
Norse ditty, which might run thus in English : — 

"And you shall deal the funeral dole; 
Ay, deal it, mother mine, 
To weary body, and to heavy soul, 
The white bread and the wine. 

And you shall deal my horses of pride ; 

Ay, deal them, mother mine ; 
And you shall deal my lands so wide, 

And deal my castles nine. 

" But deal not vengeance for the deed, 
And deal not for the crime; 
The tody to its place, and the soul to Heaven's grace, 
And the rest in God's own time." 

The singular adaptation of these rhymes to the situation in which she 
found herself, seemed to Minna like a warning from Heaven. We are 
speaking of a land of omens and superstitions, and perhaps will scarce 
be understood by those whose limited imagination cannot conceive how 
strongly these operate upon the human mind chiring a certain progress 
of society. A line of Virgil, turned up casually, was received in the 
seventeenth century, and in the court of England, 1 as an intimation of 
future events ; and no wonder that a maiden of the distant and wild 
isles of Zetland should have considered as an injunction from Heaven, 
verses which happened to convey a sense analogous to her present situa- 
tion. 

" I will be silent," she muttered, — " I will seal my lips — 

'The body to its place, and the soul to Heaven's grace, 
And the rest in God's own time.' " 

" Who speaks there V said Claud Halcro, in some alarm ; for he had 
not, in his travels in foreign parts, been able by any means to rid him- 
self of his native superstitions. In the condition to which fear and 
horror had reduced her, Minna was at first unable to reply; and 
Halcro, fixing his eyes upon the female white figure, whicn he saw 
indistinctly (for she stood in the shadow of the house, and the morning 
was thick and misty), began to conjure her in an ancient rhyme which 
occurred to him as suited for the occasion, and which had in its gib- 
berish a wild and unearthly sound, which may be lost in the ensuing 
translation : — 

1 The celebrated Sortes Virgilianae were resorted to by Charles I. and his courtierg, 
as a mode of prying into futurity. 



186 THE PIRATE. 

Saint Magnus control thee, that martyr of treason; 
Saint Ronan rebuke thee, with rhyme and with reason; 
By the mass of Saint Martin, the might of Saint Mary, 
Be thou gone, or thy weird shall be worse, if thou tarry 1 

If of good, go hence and hallow thee, — i 

If of ill, let the earth swallow thee, — 

If fchou'rt of air, let the gray mist fold thee,— 

If of earth, let the swart mine hold thee, — 

If a Pixie, seek thy ring, — 

If a Nixie, seek thy spring ;— 

If on middle earth thou'st been 

Slave of sorrow, shame, and sin, 

Hast eat the bread of toil and strife, 

And dree'd the lot which men call life, 
Begone to thy stone 1 for thy coffin is scant of thee, 
The worm, thy play-fellow, wails for the want of thee ; — > 
Hence, houseless ghost 1 let the earth hide thee, 
Till Michael shall blow the blast, see that there thou bide theei — 
Phantom, fly hence ! take the Cross for a token, 
Hence pass till Hallowmassl my spell is spoken." 

" It is I, Halcro," muttered Minna, in a tone so thin and low, that it 
might have passed for the faint reply of the conjured phantom. 

" You ! — you !" said Halcro, his tone of alarm changing to one of 
extreme surprise ; by 1 this moonlight, which is waning, and so it is! 
Who could have thought to find you, my most lovely Night, wandering 
abroad in your own element ! But you saw them, I reckon, as well as 
I ? — bold enough in you to follow them, though." 

" Saw whom ?— follow whom ?" said Minna, hoping to gain some in- 
formation on the subject of her fears and her anxiety. 

"The corpse-lights which danced at the haven," replied Halcro; 
" they bode no good, I promise you — you wot well what the old rhyme 
says — 

* Where corpse-light 
Dances bright, 
Be it day or night, 
Be it by light or dark, 
There shall corpse lie stiff and stark.' 

I went half as far as the haven to look after them, but they had vanished. 
I think I saw a boat put oft', however,— some one bound for the Haaf, 
I suppose, — I would we had good news of this fishing — there was Noma 
left us in anger— and then these corpse-lights ! Well, God help the 
while ! I am an old man, and can but wish that all we-re well over. 
But how now, my pretty Minna ? tears in your eyes ! And, now that 
I see you in the fair moonlight, barefooted, too, by Saint Magnus ! 
Were there no stockings of Zetland wool soft enough for these pretty 
feet and ankles, that glance so white in the moonbeam ? What, silent ! 
angry perhaps ; " he added, in a more serious tone, " at my nonsense ? 
For shame, silly maiden ! Remember I am old enough to be your 
father, and have always loved you as my child." 

" I am not angry," said Minna, constraining herself to speak—" but 
heard you nothing?— saw you nothing ?— They must have passed you." 

"They?" said Claud Halcro; "what mean you by they?— is it the 
coqise-lights ?— No, they did not pass by me, but I think they have 
passed by you, and blighted you with their influence, for you are as 
pale as a spectre.— Come, come, Minna," he added, opening a side-door 



THE PIRATE. 187 

of the dwelling,' "these moonlight walks are fitter for old poets than 
for young maidens— And so lightly clad as you are ! Maiden, you 
should take care how you give yourself to the breezes of a Zetland 
night, for they bring more sleet than odours upon their wings.— But, 
maiden, go in ; for, as glorious John says — or, as he does not say— for 
I cannot remember how his verse chimes — but, as I say myself, in a. 
pretty poem, written when my muse was in her teens, — 

Menseful maiden ne'er should rise, 
Till the first beam tinge the skies; 
Silk-fringed eyelids still should close, 
Till the sun has kiss'd the rose ; 
Maiden's foot we should not view, 
Mark'd with tiny print on dew, 
Till the opening flowerets spread 
Carpet meet for beauty's tread— 

Stay, what comes next ? — let me see." 

When the spirit of recitation seized on Claud Halcro, he forgot time 
and place, and might have kept his companion in the cold air for half 
an hour, giving poetical reasons why she ought to have been in bed. 
But she interrupted him by the question, earnestly pronounced, yet in 
a voice which was scarcely articulate, holding Halcro, at the same time, 
with a trembling and convulsive grasp, as if to support herself from 
falling, — " Saw you no one in the boat which put to sea but now?" 

" Nonsense," replied Halcro ; " how could I see any one, when light 
and distance only enabled me to know that it was a boat, and not a 
grampus?" 

" But there must have been some one in the boat 1" repeated Minna, 
scarce conscious of what she said. 

"Certainly," answered the poet; "boats seldom work to windward 
of their own accord. — But come, this is all folly ; and so, as the Queen 
says, in an old play, which was revived for the stage by rare Will 
D : Avenant, ' To bed— to bed— to bed !' " 

They separated, and Minna's limbs conveyed her with difficulty 
through several devious passages to her own chamber, where she 
stretched herself cautiously beside her still sleeping sister, with a mind 
harassed with the most agonizing apprehensions. That she had heard 
Cleveland she was positive — the tenor of the songs left her no doubt on 
that subject. If not equally certain that she had heard young Mer- 
toun's voice in hot quarrel with her lover, the impression to that effect 
was strong on her mind. The groan with which the struggle seemed 
to terminate — the fearful indication from which it seemed that the 
conqueror had borne off the lifeless body of his victim — all tended to 
prove that some fatal event had concluded the contest. And which of 
the unhappy men had fallen ?— which had met a bloody death?— which 
had achieved a fatal and a bloody victory ? — These were questions to 
which the still small voice of interior conviction answered, that her 
lover Cleveland, from character, temper, and habits, was most likely to 
have been the survivor of the fray. She received from the reflection an 
involuntary consolation, which she' almost detested herself for admit- 
ting, when she recollected that it was at once darkened with her lover's 
guilt, and embittered with the destruction of Brenda's happiness for 
ever. 



18S THE PIRATE. 

"Innocent, unhappy sister !" such were her reflections ; " thou that 
art ten times better than I, because so unpretending — so unassuming 
in thine excellence ! How is it possible that I should cease to feel a 
pang, which is only transferred from my bosom to thine ?" 

As these cruel thoughts crossed her mind, she could not refrain from 
straining her sister so close to her bosom, that, after a heavy sigh, 
Brenda awoke. 

" Sister," she said, " is it you ? — I dreamed I lay on one of those 
monuments which Claud Halcro described to us, where the effigy of the 
inhabitant beneath lies carved in stone upon the sepulchre. I dreamed 
such a marble form lay by ,my side, and that it suddenly acquired 
enough of life and animation to fold me to its cold, moist bosom — and 
it is yours, Minna, that is indeed so chilly. You are ill, mv dearest 
Minna ! for God's sake let me rise and call Euphane Fea. — What ails 
you ? has Noma been here again ?" 

" Call no one hither," said Minna, detaining her ; " nothing ails me 
for which any one has a remedy — nothing but apprehensions of evil 
worse than even Noma couldprophesy. But God is above all, my dear 
Brenda ; and let us pray to Him to turn, as He only can, our evil into 
good." 

They did jointly repeat their usual prayer for strength and protection 
from on high, and again composed themselves to sleep, suffering no 
word, save " God bless you," to pass betwixt them, when their devo- 
tions were finished ; thus scrupulously dedicating to Heaven their last 
waking words, if human frailty prevented them from commanding their 
last waking thoughts. Brenda slept first, and Minna, strongly resisting 
the dark and evil presentiments which again began to crowd themselves 
upon her imagination, was at last so fortunate as to slumber also. 

The storm which Halcro had expected began about daybreak — a 
squall, heavy with wind and rain, such as is often felt, even during 
the finest part of the season, in these latitudes. At the whistle of the 
wind, and the clatter of the rain on the shingle-roofing of the fishers' 
huts, many a poor woman was awakened, and called on her children to 
hold up their little hands, and join in prayer for the safety of the dear 
husband and father, who was even then at the mercy of the disturbed 
elements. Around the house of Burgh-Westra chimneys howled, and 
windows clashed. The props and rafters of the higher parts of the 
building, most of them formed out of wreck- wood, groaned and quivered, 
as fearing to be again dispersed by the tempest. But the daughters of 
Magnus Troil continued to sleep as softly and as sweetly as if the hand 
of Chantrey had formed them out of statuary-marble. The squall had 
passed away, and the sunbeams, dispersing the clouds Avhich drifted to 
leeward, shone full through the lattice, when Minna first started from 
the profound sleep into which fatigue and mental exhaustion had lulled 
her, and raising herself on her arm began to recall events which, after 
this interval of profound repose, seemed almost to resemble the baseless 
visions of the night. She almost doubted if what she recalled of horror, 
previous to her starting from her bed, was not indeed the fiction of a 
dream, suggested, perhaps, by some external sounds. 

" I will see Claud Halcro instantly,'' she said ; "he may know some- 
thing of these strange noises, as he was stirring at the time." 



THE PIRATE. 189 

With that she sprung from bed, but hardly stood upright on the floor, 
ere her sister exclaimed, " Gracious heaven ! Minna, what ails your 
foot — your ankle ?" 

She looked down, and saw with surprise, which amounted to agony, 
that both her feet, but particularly one of them, was stained with dark 
crimson, resembling the colour of dried blood. 

Without attempting to answer Brenda she rushed to the window, 
and cast a desperate look on the grass beneath, for there she knew she 
must have contracted the fatal stain. But the rain, which had fallen 
there in treble quantity, as well from the heavens as from the eaves of 
the house, had washed away that guilty witness, if indeed such had 
ever existed. All was fresh and fair, and the blades of grass, overcharged 
and bent with rain-drops, glittered like diamonds in the bright morning 
sun. 

While Minna stared upon the spangled verdure, with her full dark 
eyes fixed and enlarged to circles by the intensity of her terror, Brenda 
was hanging about her, and, with many an eager inquiry, pressed to 
know whether or how she had hurt herself 1 

" A piece of glass cut through my shoe," said Minna, bethinking 
herself that some excuse was necessary to her sister ; " I scarce felt it 
at the time." 

" And yet see how it has bled," said her sister. " Sweet Minna," 
she added, approaching her with a wetted towel, "let me wipe the blood 
off — the hurt may be worse than you think of." 

But as she approached, Minna, who saw no other way of preventing 
discovery that the blood with which she was stained had never flowed 
in her own veins, harshly and hastily repelled the proffered kindness. 
Poor Brenda, unconscious of any offence which she had given to her 
sister, drew back two or three paces on finding her service thus unkindly 
refused, and stood gazing at Minna with looks in which there was more 
of surprise and mortified affection than of resentment, but which had 
yet something also of natural displeasure. 

" Sister," said she, " I thought we had agreed but last night, that 
happen to us what might, we would at least love each other." 

" Much may happen betwixt night and morning," answered Minna, 
in words rather wrenched from her by her situation, than flowing forth 
the voluntary interpreters of her thoughts. 

" Much may indeed have happened in a night so stormy," answered 
Brenda ; "for see where the very wall around Euphane's plant-a-cruive 
has been blown down ; but neither wind, nor rain, nor aught else, can 
cool our affection, Minna." 

"But that may chance," replied Minna, "which may convert it 
into " 

The rest of the sentence she muttered in a tone so indistinct that it 
could not be apprehended ; while, at the same time, she washed the 
blood-stains from her feet and left ankle. Brenda, who still re- 
mained looking on at some distance, endeavoured in vain to assume 
some tone which might re-establish kindness and confidence betwixt 
them. 

" You were right," she said, "Minna, to suffer no one to help you to 
dress so simple a scratch— standing where I do it is scarce visible." 



190 THE PIRATE. 



male a 



" The most cruel wounds," replied Minna, "are those which make 
no outward show. Are you sure you see it at all f 

" Oh, yes !" replied Brenda, framing her answer as she thought would 
best please her sister ; " I see a very slight scratch ; nay, now you draw 
on the stocking, I can see nothing." 

" You do indeed see nothing," answered Minna, somewhat wildly ; 
"but the time will soon come that all— ay, all— will be seen and 
known." 

So saying, she hastily completed her dress, and led the way to 
breakfast, where she assumed her place amongst the guests ; but with 
a countenance so pale and haggard, and manners and speech so altered 
and so bewildered, that it excited the attention of the whole company, 
and the utmost anxiety on the part of her father Magnus Troil. Many 
and various were the conjectures of the guests concerning a distempera- 
ture which seemed rather mental than corporeal. Some hinted that the 
maiden had been struck with an evil eye, and something they muttered 
about Noma of the Fitful-head ; some talked of the departure of Captain 
Cleveland, and murmured, " it was a shame for a young lady to take 
on so after a landlouper, of whom no one knew anything ;" and this 
contemptuous epithet was in particular bestowed on the Captain by 
Mistress Baby Yellowley, while she was in the act of wrapping round 
her old skinny neck the very handsome oweiiay (as she called it) 
wherewith the said Captain had presented her. The old Lady G-Iowr- 
owrum had a system of her own, which she hinted to Mistress Yellow- 
ley, after thanking God that her own connection with the Burgh- 
Westra family was by the lass's mother, who was a canny Scotswoman 
like herself. 

" For, as to these Troils, you see, Dame Yeilowley, for as high as 
they hold their heads, they say that ken" (winking sagaciously), "that 
there is a bee in their bonnet ; — that Noma, as they call her, for it's 
not her right name neither, is at whiles far beside her right mind, — 
and they that ken the cause say the Fowd was some gate or other 
linked in with it, for he will never hear an ill word of her. But I was 
in Scotland then, or I might have kend the real cause, as weel as other 
folk. At ony rate there is a kind of wildness in the blood. Ye ken very 
weel daft folk clinna bide to be contradicted ; and I'll say that for the 
Fowd — he likes to be contradicted as ill as ony man in Zetland. But 
it shall never be said that I said ony ill of the house that I am sae 
nearly connected wi'. Only ye will mind, dame, it is through the 
Sinclairs that we are akin, not through the Troils,— and the Sinclairs 
are kend far and wide for a wise generation, dame. — But I see there is 
the stirrup-cup coming round." 

" I wonder," said Mistress Baby to her brother, as soon as the Lady 
Glowrowrum turned from her, "what gars that muckle wife dame, 
dame, dame, that gate at me ? She might ken the blude of the Clink- 
scales is as gude as ony Glowrowrum' s amang them." 

The guests, meanwhile, were fast taking their departure, scarcely 
noticed by Magnus, who was so much engrossed with Minna's indis- 
position, that, contrary to his hospitable wont, he suffered them to go 
away unsaluted. And thus concluded, amidst anxiety and illness, the 
festival oi Saint John, as celebrated on that season at the house of 



THE PIRATE. 191 

Burgh-Westra ; adding another caution to that of the Emperor of 
Ethiopia, — with how little security man can reckon upon the days 
which he destines to happiness. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

But this sad evil which doth her infest, 
Doth course of natural cause far exceed, 
And housed is within her hollow brest, 
That either seems some cursed witch's deed, 
Or evill spright that in her doth such torment breed. 

Fairy Queen, Book III. Canto III. 

The term had now elapsed, by several days, when Mordaunt Mer- 
toun, as he had promised at his departure, should have returned to his 
father's abode at Jarlshof, but there were no tidings of his arrival. 
Such delay might, at another time, have excited little curiosity, and 
no anxiety ; for old Swertha, who took upon her the office of thinking 
and conjecturing for the little household, would have concluded that 
he had remained behind the other guests upon some party of sport or 
pleasure. But she knew that Mordaunt had not been lately in favour 
with Magnus Troil; she knew that he proposed his stay at Burgh- 
Westra should be a short one, upon account of his father's health, to 
whom, notwithstanding the little encouragement which his filial piety 
received, he paid uniform attention. Swertha knew all this, and she 
became anxious. She watched the looks of her master, the elder Mer- 
toun ; but, wrapt in dark and stern uniformity of composure, his coun- 
tenance, like the surface of a midnight lake, enabled no one to penetrate 
into what was beneath. His studies, his solitary meals, his lonely 
walks, succeeded each other in unvaried rotation, and seemed undis- 
turbed by the least thought about Mordaunt' s absence. 

At length such reports reached Swertha's ear, from various quarters, 
that she became totally unable to conceal her anxiety, and resolved, at 
the risk of provoking her master into fury, or perhaps that of losing her 
place in his household, to force upon his notice the doubts which afflicted 
her own mind. Mordaunt' s good-humour and goodly person must indeed 
have made no small impression on the withered and selfish heart of the 
poor old woman, to induce ner to take a course so desperate, and from 
which her friend the Ranzelman endeavoured in vam to deter her. 
Still, however conscious that a miscarriage in the matter would, like 
the loss of Trinculo's bottle in the horse-pool, be attended not only 
with dishonour, but with infinite loss, she determined to proceed on 
her high emprise with as much caution as was consistent with the 
attempt. 

We have already mentioned, that it seemed a part of the very 
nature of this reserved and unsocial being, at least since his retreat 
into the utter solitude of Jarlshof, to endure no one to start a subject 
of conversation, or to put any question to him, that did not arise out 
of urgent and pressing emergency. Swertha was sensible, therefore, 
that, in order to open the discourse favourably which she proposed 



192 THE PIRATE. 

to hold with her master, she must contrive that it should original 
ith himself. 
To accomplish this purpose, while busied in preparing the table 



with himself. 

.ft 

Mr Mertoun's simple and solitary dinner-meal, she formally adorne 



the board with two covers instead of one, and made all her other pre 
parations as if he was to have a guest or companion at dinner. 

The artifice succeeded ; for Mertoun, on coming from his study, n, 
sooner saw the table thus arranged than he asked Swertha, who, wait 
ing the effect of her stratagem as a fisher watches his ground-baits, wa 
fiddling up and down the room, " Whether Mordaunt was not return© 
from Burgh-Westra ?" 

This question was the cue for Swertha, and she answered in a voic 
of sorrowful anxiety, half real, half affected, " Na, na ! nae sic divo 
had dunted at their door. It wad be blithe news indeed to ken tha 
young Maister Mordaunt, puir dear bairn, were safe at name." 

" And, if he be not at nome, why should you lay a cover for him 
you doting fool ?" replied Mertoun, in a tone well calculated to stoi 
the old woman's proceedings. But she replied, boldly, " That, indeed 
somebody should take thought about Maister Mordaunt ; a' that sh< 
could do was to have seat and plate ready for him when he came. Bu 
she thought the dear bairn had been ower lang awa ; and, if she maur 
speak out, she had her ain fears when and whether he might ever comr 
hame." 

" You?' fears !" replied Mertoun, his eyes flashing as they usualh 
did when his hour of ungovernable passion approached ; "do you speaii 
of your idle fears to me. who know that all of your sex that is not fickle- 
ness, and folly, and self-conceit, and self-will, is a bundle of idiotica 
fears, vapours, and tremours ? What are your fears to me, you foolish 
old hag?" 

It is an admirable quality in womankind that, when a breach of the 
laws of natural affection comes under their observation, the whole sex 
is in arms. Let a rumour arise in a street of a parent that has misused 
a child, or a child that has insulted a parent, — I say nothing of the 
case of husband and wife, where the interest may be accounted for in 
sympathy, — and all the women within hearing will take animated and 
decided part with the sufferer. Swertha, notwithstanding her greed 
and avarice, had her share of the generous feeling which does so much 
honour to her sex, and was, on this occasion, so much carried on by its 
impulse, that she confronted her master, and upbraided him with his 
hard-hearted indifference, with a boldness at which she herself was 
astonished. 

" To be sure it wasna her that suld be fearing for her young maister, 
Maister Mordaunt, even although he was, as she might weel say, the 
very sea-calf of her heart ; but ony other father but his honour himsell 
wad have had speerings made after the poor lad, and him gane this 
eight days from Burgh-Westra, and naebody kend when or where he 
had gane. There wasna a bairn in the howff but was maining for him ; 
for he made all their bits of boats with his knife ; there wadna be a 
dry eye in the parish if aught worse than weal should befall him, — na, 
no ane, unless it might be his honour's ain." 
- Mertoun had been much struck, and even silenced, by the insolent 



THE PIRATE. 193 

olubility of his insurgent housekeeper ; but, at the last sarcasm, he 
nposed on her silence in her turn with an audible voice, accompanied 
ith one of the most terrific glances which his dark eye and stern fea- 
lres could express. But Swertha, who, as she afterwards acquainted 
ie Ranzelman, was wonderfully supported during the whole scene, 
would not be controlled by the loud voice and ferocious look of her 
I laster, but proceeded in the same tone as before. 

" His honour," she said, "had made an unco wark because a wheen 

- its of kists and duds, that naebody had use for, had been gathered on 

ie beach by the poor bodies of the township ; and here was the bravest 

id in the country lost, and cast away, as it were, before his een, and 

ae ane asking what was come o' him." 

" What should come of him but good, you old fool," answered Mr 
lertoun, " as far, at least, as there can be good in any of the follies he 
pends his time in'l" 

This was spoken rather in a scornful than an angry tone ; and 
Iwertha, who had got into the spirit of the dialogue, was resolved not 
o let it drop, now that the fire of her opponent seemed to slacken. 

" ay, to be sure I am an auld fule ; — but if Maister Mordaunt 
hould have settled down in the Roost, as mair than ae boat has been 
}st in that wearifu' squall the other morning — by good luck it was 
hort as it was sharp, or naething could have lived in it — or if he 
rere drowned in a loch coming hame on foot, or if he were killed by 
niss of footing on a craig — the haill island kend how venturesome he 
vas — who," said Swertha, "will be the auld fule then?" And she 
idded a pathetic ejaculation that " God would protect the poor mother- 
ess bairn ! for if he had had a mother, there would have been search 
nade after him before now." 

This last sarcasm affected Mertoun powerfully, — his jaw quivered, 
lis face grew pale, and he muttered to Swertha to go into his study 
where she was scarcely ever permitted to enter) and fetch him a bottle 
•vhich stood there. 

t " ho !" quoth Swertha to herself, as she hastened on the commis- 
. ion, " my master knows where to find a cup of comfort to qualify his 
vater with upon fitting occasions." 

There was indeed a case of such bottles as were usually employed to 
lold strong waters, but the dust and cobwebs in which they were en- 
veloped showed that they had not been touched for many years. With 
ome difficulty Swertha extracted the cork of one of them, by the help 
of a fork — for corkscrew was there none at Jaiishof— and having as- 
jertainedby smell, and in case of any mistake, by a moderate mouth- 
ful, that it contained wholesome Bar'badoes-waters, she carried it into 
he room, where her master still continued to struggle with his faintness. 
?he then began to pour a small quantity into the nearest cup that she 
mild find, wisely judging, that upon a person so much unaccustomed to 
•he use of spirituous liquors, a little might produce a strong effect. But 
-he patient signed to her impatiently to fill the cup, which might 
•lold more than the third of an English pint measure, up to the very 
)rim, and swallowed it down without hesitation. 

" Now the saunts above have a care on us ! " said Swertha ; " he will 
)e drunk as weel as mad, and wha is to guide him then, I wonder ? " 



194 THE PIRATE. 

But Mertoun's breath and colour returned, without the slightest 
symptom of intoxication; on the contrary, Swertha afterwards re- 
ported that, " Although she had always had a firm opinion in favour of 
a dram, yet she never saw one work such miracles — he spoke mair like 
a man of the middle world than she had ever heard him do since she 
had entered his service." 

" Swertha," he said, "you are right in this matter, and I was wrong. 
Go down to the Ranzelman directly, tell him to come and speak with 
me, without an instant's delay, and bring me special word what boats 
and people he can command ; I will employ them all in the search, and 
they shall be plentifully rewarded." 

Stimulated by the spur which maketh the old woman proverbially to 
trot, Swertha posted down to the hamlet, with all the speed of three- 
score, rejoicing that her sympathetic feelings were likely to achieve 
their own reward, having given rise to a quest which promised to be so 
lucrative, and in the profits whereof she was determined to have her 
share, shouting out as she went, and long before she got within hear- 
ing, the names of Niel Ronaldson, Sweyn Erickson, and the other 
friends and confederates who were interested in her mission. To say 
the truth, notwithstanding that the good dame really felt a deep in- 
terest in Mordaunt Mertoun, and was mentally troubled on account of 
his absence, perhaps few things would have disappointed her more than 
if he had at this moment started up in her path safe and sound, and 
rendered unnecessary, by his appearance, the expense and the bustle 
of searching after him. 

Soon did Swertha accomplish her business in the village, and adjust 
with the senators of the township her own little share of per centage 
upon the profits likely to accrue on her mission ; and speedily did she 
return to Jarlshof, with Mel Ronaldson by her side, schooling him to 
the best of her skill in all the peculiarities of her master. 

" Aboon a' things," she said, "never make him wait for an answer; 
and speak loud and distinct as if you were hailing a boat, — for he downa 
bide to <say the same thing twice over; and if he asks about dis- 
tance, ye may make leagues for miles, for he kens naething about 
the face of the earth that he lives upon ; and if he speak of siller, 
ye may ask dollars for shillings, for he minds them nae mair than sclate- 
stanes." 

Thus tutored, Niel Ronaldson was introduced into the presence of 
Mertoun, but was utterly confounded to find that he could not act upon 
the system of deception which had been projected. — When he attempted, 
by some exaggeration of distance and peril, to enhance the hire of the 
boats and of the men (for the search was to be by sea and land), he 
found himself at once cut short by Mertoun, who showed not only the 
most perfect knowledge of the country, but of distances, tides, currents, 
and all belonging to the navigation of those seas, although these were 
topics with which he had hitherto appeared to be totally unacquainted. 
The Ranzelman, therefore, trembled when they came to speak of the 
recompense to be afforded for their exertions in the search ; for it was 
not more unlikely that Mertoun should be as well informed of what was 
just and proper upon this head as upon others ; and Kiel remembered 
the storm of his fury, when, at an early period after he had settled at 



THE PIRATE. 195 

Jarlshof, he drove Swertha and Sweyn Erickson from his presence. As, 
however, he stood hesitating betwixt the opposite fears of asking too 
much or too little, Mertoun stopped his mouth, and ended his uncer- 
tainty by promising him a recompense beyond what he dared have ven- 
tured to ask, with an additional gratuity, in case they returned with the 
pleasing intelligence that his son was safe. 

When this great point was settled, Niel Ronaldson, like a man of 
conscience, began to consider earnestly the various places where search 
should be made after the young man ; and having undertaken faithfully 
that the inquiry should be prosecuted at all the houses of the gentry, 
both in this and the neighbouring islands, he added, that, " after all, if 
his honour would not be angry, there was ane not far off, that, if any body 
dared speer her a question, and if she liked to answer it, could tell more 
about Maister Mordaunt than anybody else could. — Ye will ken wha I 
mean, Swertha ? Her that was down at the haven this morning." 
Thus he concluded, addressing himself with a mysterious look to the 
housekeeper, which she answered with a nod and a wink. 

"How mean you?" said Mertoun; "speak out, short and open — 
whom do you speak of?" 

" It is Noma of the Fitful-head," said Swertha, " that the Ranzel- 
man is thinking about ; for she has gone up to Saint Ringan's Kirk 
this morning on business of her own." 

" And what can this person know of my son ?" said Mertoun ; " she 
is, I believe, a wandering madwoman or impostor." 

" If she wanders," said Swertha, " it is for nae lack of means at 
hame, and that is weel known— plenty of a'thing has she of her ain, 
forby that the Fowd himsell would let her want naething." 

" But what is that to my son 2" said Mertoun, impatiently. 

" I dinna ken — she took unco pleasure in Maister Mordaunt from the 
time she first saw him, and mony a braw thing she gave him at ae time 
or another, forby the gowd chain that hangs about his bonny craig — 
folk say it is of fairy gold — I kenna what gold it is, but Bryce Snails- 
foot says that the value will mount to an hundred punds English, and 
that is nae deaf nuts." 

" Go, Ronaldson," said Mertoun, " or else send some one, to seek 
this woman out — if you think there be a chance of her knowing any- 
thing of my son." 

" She kens a'thing that happens in thae islands," said Niel Ronald- 
son, " muckle sooner than other folk, and that is Heaven's truth. But 
as to going to the kirk or the kirkyard to speer after her, there is not 
a man in Zetland will do it for meed or for money — and that's Heaven's 
truth as weel as the other." 

" Cowardly, superstitious fools !" said Mertoun. — " But give me my 
cloak, Swertha. — This woman has been at Burgh- Westra — she is re- 
lated to Troil's family — she may know something of Mordaunt' s absence 
and its cause — I will seek her myself. — She is. at the Cross-kirk, you 
say?" 

" No, not at the Cross-kirk, but at the auld Kirk of Saint Ringan's 
• — it's a dowie bit, and far frae being canny ; and if your honour," added 
Swertha, " wad walk by my rule, I wad wait until she came back, and 
no trouble her when she may be mair busied wi' the dead, for onything 



196 THE PIRATE. 

that we ken, than she is wi' the living. The like of her carena to have 
other folk's een on them when they are, gude sain us ! doing their aiu 
particular turns." 

Mertoun made no answer, hut throwing his cloak loosely around him 
(for the day was misty, with passing showers), and leaving the decayed 
mansion of Jarlshof, he walked at a pace much faster than was usual 
with him, taking the direction of the ruinous church, which stood, as 
he well knew, within three or four miles of his dwelling. 

The Ranzelman and Swertha stood gazing after him in silence until 
he was fairly out of ear-shot, when, looking seriously on each other, 
and shaking their sagacious heads in the same boding degree of vibra- 
tion, they uttered their remarks in the same breath. 

" Fools are aye fleet and fain," said Swertha. 

"Fey folk run fast," added the Ranzelman ; "and the thing that 
we are born to we cannot win by. — I have known them that tried to 
stop folk that were fey. You have heard of Helen Emberson of Cam- 
sey, how she stopped all the boles and windows about the house, that 
her gudeman might not see daylight and rise to the Haaf-fishing, be- 
cause she feared foul weather ; and how the boat he should have sailed 
in was lost in the Roost ; and how she came back, rejoicing in her 
gudeman' s safety — but ne'er may care, for there she found him drowned 
in his own ma-sking-fat, within the wa's of his ain biggin ; and more- 
over " 

But here Swertha reminded the Ranzelman that he must go down 
to the haven to get off the fishing-boats ; " For both that my heart is 
sair for the bonny lad, and that I am fear'd he cast up of his ain accord 
before you are at sea ; and, as I have often told ye, my master may 
lead, but he winna drive ; and if ye do not do his bidding and get out 
to sea, the never a bodle of boat-hire will ye see." 

" Weel, weel, good dame," said the Ranzelman, "we will launch as 
fast as we can ; and by good luck, neither Clawson's boat nor Peter 
Grot's is out to the Haaf this morning, for a rabbit ran across the path 
as they were going on board, and they came back like wise men, ken- 
ning they wad be called to other wark this day. And a marvel it is 
to think, Swertha, how few real judicious men are left in this land. 
There is our great Udaller is weel eneugh when he is fresh, but he 
makes ower mony voyages in his ship and his yawl to be lang sae ; and 
now, they say his daughter, Mistress Minna, is sair out of sorts. — 
Then there is Noma kens muckle mair than other folk, but wise woman 
ye cannot call her. Our tacksman here, Maister Mertoun, his wit is 
sprung in the bowsprit, I doubt — his son is a daft gowk ; and I ken 
few of consequence hereabouts— excepting always myself, and maybe 
you, Swertha — but what may, in some sense or other, be called fules." 

"That may be, Niel Ronaldson," said the dame ; " but if you do 
not hasten the faster to the shore you will lose tide ; and, as I said to 
my master some short time syne, wha will be the fule then ?" 



THE PIRATE. 197 



CHAPTER XXV. 

I do love these ancient ruins — 
We never tread upon them hut we set 
Our- foot upon some reverend history ; 
And, questionless, here, in this open court, 
(Which now lies naked to the injuries 
Of stormy weather), some men lieinterr'd, 
Loved the Church so well, and gave so largely to it, 
They thought it should have canopied their hones 
Till doomsday; — hut all things have their end — 
Churches and cities, which have diseases like to men, 
Must have like death which we have. 

Duchess of Malfy. 

The ruinous church of Saint Ninian had, in its time, enjoyed great 
celebrity ; for that mighty system of Roman superstition, which spread 
its roots over all Europe, had not failed to extend them even to this 
remote archipelago, and Zetland had, in the Catholic times, her saints, 
her shrines, and her relics, which, though little known elsewhere, 
attracted the homage and commanded the observance of the simple 
inhabitants of Thule. Their devotion to this church of Saint Ninian, 
or, as he was provincially termed, Saint Ringan, situated, as the edifice 
was, close to the sea-beach, and serving in many points as a landmark 
to their boats, was particularly obstinate, and was connected with so 
much superstitious ceremonial and credulity, that the reformed clergy 
thought it best, by an order of the Chinch Courts, to prohibit all spiri- 
tual service within its walls, as tending to foster the rooted faith of the 
simple and rude people around in saint-worship, and other erroneous 
doctrines of the Romish Church. 

After the church of Saint Ninian had been thus denounced as a seat 
of idolatry, and desecrated of course, the public worship was transferred 
to another church ; and the roof, with its lead and its rafters, having 
been stripped from the little rude old Gothic building, it was left in the 
wilderness to the mercy of the elements. The fury of the uncontrolled 
winds, which howled along an exposed space, resembling that which we 
have described at Jarlshof, very soon choked up nave and aisle, and, on 
the north-west side, which was chiefly exposed to the wind, hid the 
outside walls more than half-way up with mounds of drifted sand, over 
which the gable-ends of the building, with the little belfrey, Avhich was 
built above its eastern angle, arose in ragged and shattered nakedness 
of ruin. 

Yet, deserted as it was, the Kirk of Saint Ringan still retained some 
semblance of the ancient homage formerly rendered there. The rude 
and ignorant fishermen of Dunrossness observed a practice, of which 
they themselves had well-nigh forgotten the origin, and from which the 
Protestant Clergy in vain endeavoured to deter them. When their boats 
were in extreme peril, it was common amongst them to propose to vow 
an awmous, as they termed it, that is, an alms, to Saint Rmgan ; and 
when the danger was over, they never failed to absolve themselves of 
their vow, by coming singly and secretly to the old church, and putting 



198 THE PIRATE. 

off their shoes and stockings at the entrance of the cnurchyard, walk- 
ing thrice around the ruins, observing that they did so in the course of 
the sun. When the circuit was accomplished for the third time, the 
votary dropped his offering, usually a small silver coin, through the 
nrullions of a lanceolated window, which opened into a side aisle, and 
then retired, avoiding carefully to look behind him till he was beyond 
the precincts which had once been hallowed ground ; for it was believed 
that the skeleton of the saint received the offering in his bony hand, 
and showed his ghastly death's head at the window into which it was 
thrown. 

Indeed, the scene was rendered more appalling to weak and ignorant 
minds, because the same stormy and eddying winds which, on the one 
side of the church, threatened to bury the ruins with sand, and had, in 
fact, heaped it up in huge quantities, so as almost to hide the side-wall 
with its buttresses, seemed in other places bent on uncovering the graves 
of those who had been laid to their long rest on the south-eastern 
quarter ; and, after an unusually hard gale, the coffins, and sometimes 
the veiy corpses, of those who had been interred without the usual cere- 
ments, were discovered in a ghastly manner to the eyes of the living. 

It was to this desolated place of worship that the elder Mertoun now 
proceeded, though without any of those religious or superstitious pur- 
poses with which the church of Saint Ringan was usually approached. 
He was totally without the superstitious fears of the country, — nay, 
from the sequestered and sullen maimer iu which he lived, withdraw- 
ing himself from human society even when assembled for worship, it 
was the general opinion that he erred on the more fatal side, and be- 
lieved rather too little than too much of that which the Church receives 
and enjoins to Christians. 

As he entered the little bay on the shore, and almost on the beach 
of which the ruins are situated, he could not help pausing for an in- 
stant, and becoming sensible that the scene, as calculated to operate on 
human feelings, had been selected with much judgment as the site of a 
religious house. — In front lay the sea, into which two headlands, which 
formed the extremities of the bay, projected their gigantic causeways 
of dark and sable rocks, on the ledges of which the gulls, scouries, and 
other sea-fowl, appeared like flakes of snow; while, upon the lower 
ranges of the cliff stood whole hues of cormorants, drawn up alongside 
of each other like soldiers in then battle array ; and other living thing 
was there none to see. The sea, although not in a tempestuous state, 
was disturbed enough to rush on these capes with a sound like distant 
thunder, and the billows, which rose in sheets of foam half-way up these 
sable rocks, formed a contrast of colouring equally striking and awful. 

Betwixt the extremities, or capes, of these projecting headlands, 
there rolled, on the day when Mertoun visited the scene, a deep and 
dense aggregation of clouds, through which no human eye could pene- 
trate, and which, bouuding the vision, and excluding all view of the 
distant ocean, rendered it no unapt representation of the sea in the 
vision of Mirza, whose extent was concealed by vapours, and clouds, 
and storms. The ground rising steeply from the sea-beach, permitting 
no view into the interior of the country, appeared a scene of irretrievable 
barrenness, where scrubby and stunted heath, intermixed with the long 



THE PIRATE. 199 

bent, or coarse grass, which first covers sandy soils, were the only vege- 
tables that could be seen. Upon a natural elevation, which rose above 
the beach in the very bottom of the bay, and receded a little from the 
sea, so as to be without reach of the waves, arose the half-buried ruin 
which we have already described, surrounded by a wasted, half-ruinous, 
and mouldering wall, which, breached in several places, served still to 
divide the precincts of the cemetery. The mariners who were driven 
by accident into this solitary bay, pretended that the church was occa- 
sionally observed to be full of lights, and, from that circumstance, were 
used to prophesy shipwrecks and deaths by sea. 

As Mertoun approached near to the chapel, he adopted, insensibly, 
and perhaps without much premeditation, measures to avoid being him- 
self seen, until he came close under the walls of the burial-ground, 
which he approached, as it chanced, on that side where the sand was 
blowing from the graves in the manner we have described. 

Here, looking through one of the gaps in the wall, which time had 
made, he beheld the person whom he sought, occupied in a manner 
which assorted well with the ideas popularly entertained of her character, 
but which was otherwise sufficiently extraordinary. 

She was employed beside a rude monument, on one side of which 
was represented the rough outline of a cavalier, or knight, on horseback, 
while on the other appeared a shield, with the armorial bearings so de- 
faced as not to be intelligible ; which escutcheon was suspended by one 
angle, contrary to the modern custom, which usually places them straight 
and upright. At the foot of this pillar was believed to repose, as Mer- 
toun had formerly heard, the bones of Ribolt Troil, one of the remote 
ancestors of Magnus, and a man renowned for deeds of valorous emprise 
in the fifteenth century. From the grave of this warrior Noma of the 
Fitful-head seemed busied in shovelling the sand, an easy task, where 
it was so light and loose ; so that it seemed plain that she would shortly 
complete what the rude winds had begun, and make bare the bones 
which lay there interred. As she laboured she muttered her magic 
song ; for without the Eunic rhyme no form of northern superstition 
was ever performed. We have perhaps preserved too many examples 
of these incantations ; but we cannot help attempting to translate that 
which follows : — 

" Champion, famed for warlike toil, 
Art thou silent, Ribolt Troil? 
Sand, and dust, and pebbly stones, 
Are leaving bare thy giant bones. 
Who dared touch the wild-bear's skin 
Ye slumber'd on while life was in ? — 
A woman now, or babe may come 
And cast the covering from thy tomb. 

" Yet be not wrathful, Chief, nor blight 
Mine eyes or ears with sound or sight I 
I come not, with unhallow'd tread, 
To wake the slumbers of the dead, 
Or lay thy giant relics bare; 
But what I seek thou well canst spare. 
Be it to my hand allow'd 
To sheer a merk's weight from thy shroud; 
Yet leave thee sheeted lead enough 
To shield thy bones from weather rough. 



200 THE PIRATE. 

" See, I draw my magic knife — 
Never while thou wert in life 
Laid'st thou still for sloth or fear 
When point and edge were glittering near ; 
See, the cerements now I sever — 
Waken now, or sleep for ever! 
Thou wilt not wake? the deed is done I— 
The prize I sought is fairly won. 

" Thanks, Ribolt, thanks, — for this the sea 
Shall smooth its ruffled crest for thee, — 
And while afar its billows foam, 
Subside to peace near Ribolt's tomb. 
Thanks, Ribolt, thanks, — for this the might 
Of wild winds raging at their height, 
When to thy place of slumber nigh, 
Shall soften to a lullaby. 

" She, the dame of doubt and dread, 
Noma of the Fitful-head, 
Mighty in her own despite — 
Miserable in her might; 
In despair and frenzy great,— 
In her greatness desolate; 
Wisest, wickedest who lives, 
Well can keep the word she gives!" 

While Noma chanted the first part of this rhyme, she completed the 
task of laying bare a part of the leaden coffin of the ancient warrior, 
and severed from it, with much caution and apparent awe, a portion of 
the metal. She then reverentially threw back the sand upon the coffin ; 
and by the time she had finished her song, no trace remained that the 
secrets of the sepulchre had been violated. 

Mertoun remained gazing on her from behind the churchyard-wall 
during the Avhole ceremony, not from any impression of veneration for 
her or her employment, but because he conceived that to interrupt a 
madwoman in her act of madness was not the best way to obtain from 
her such intelligence as she might have to impart. Meanwhile he had 
full time to consider her figure, although her face was obscured by her 
dishevelled hair and by the hood of her dark mantle, which permitted 
no more to be visible than a Druidess would probably have exhibited at 
the celebration of her mystical rites. Mertoun had often heard of 
Noma before ; nay, it is most probable that he might have seen her re- 
peatedly, for she had been in the vicinity of Jarlshof more than once 
since his residence there. But the absurd stories which were in circu- 
lation respecting her, prevented his paying any attention to a person 
whom he regarded as either an impostor or a madwoman, or a compound 
of both. Yet, now that his attention was, by circumstances, involun- 
tarily fixed upon her person and deportment, he could not help acknow- 
ledging to himself that she was either a complete enthusiast, or re- 
hearsed her part so admirably that no Pythoness of ancient time could 
have excelled her. The dignity and solemnity of her gesture — the 
sonorous, yet impressive tone of voice with which she addressed the 
departed spirit whose mortal relics she ventured to disturb, were such 
as failed not to make an impression upon him, careless and indifferent 
as he generally appeared to all that went on around him. But no 
sooner was her singular occupation terminated, than, entering the 
churchyard with some difficulty, by clambering over the disjointed 



THE PIRATE. 201 

ruins of the wall, he made Noma aware of his presence^ Far from 
starting, or expressing the least surprise at his appearance in a place so 
solitary, she said, in a tone that seemed to intimate that he had been 
expected, " So — you have sought me at last ?" 

" And found you," replied Mertoun, judging he would best introduce 
the inquiries he had to make by assuming a tone which corresponded 
to her own. 

u Yes !" she replied, " found me you have, and in the place where all 
men must meet — amid the tabernacles of the dead." 

" Here we must, indeed, meet at last," replied Mertoun, glancing 
his eyes on the desolate scene around, where headstones, half covered 
with sand, and others, from which the same wind had stripped the soil 
on which they rested, covered with inscriptions, and sculptured with 
the emblems of mortality, were the most conspicuous objects, — " here, 
as in the house of death, all men must meet at length ; and happy 
those that come soonest to the quiet haven." 

" He that dares desire this haven," said Noma, " must have steered 
a steady course in the voyage of life. I dare not hope for such quiet 
harbour. Darest thou expect it i or has the course thou hast kept de- 
served it ?" 

" It matters not to my present purpose," replied Mertoun ; " I have 
to ask you what tidings you know of my son, Mordaunt Mertoun ?" 

" A father," replied the sibyl, " asks of a stranger what tidings she 
has of his son ! How should I know aught of him 'i the cormorant says 
not to the mallard, Where is my broods" 

" Lay aside this useless affectation of mystery," said Mertoun ; 
" with the vulgar and ignorant it has its effect, but upon me it is 
thrown away. The people of Jarlshof have told me that you do know, 
or may know, something of Mordaunt Mertoun, who has not returned 
home from the festival of Saint John's, held in the house of your re- 
lative Magnus Troil. Give me such information, if indeed ye have it 
to give ; and it shall be recompensed if the means of recompense are in 
my power." 

" The wide round of earth," replied Noma, " holds nothing that I 
wouM call a recompense for the slightest word that I throw away upon 
a living ear. But for thy son, if thou wouldst see him in life, repair to 
the approaching fair of Kirkwall in Orkney." 

" And wherefore thither ?" said Mertoun ; " I know he had no pur- 
pose in that direction." 

" We drive on the stream of fate," answered Noma, " without oar 
or rudder. You had no purpose this morning of visiting the kirk of 
Saint Ringan, yet you are here ; — you had no purpose but a minute 
hence of being at Kirkwall, and yet you will go thither." 

" Not unless the cause is more distinctly explained to me. I am no 
believer, dame, in those who assert your supernatural powers." 

" You shall believe in them ere we part," said Noma. " As yet you 
know but little of me, nor shall you know more. But I know enough 
of you, and could convince you with one word that I do so." 

" Convince me, then," said Mertoun ; "for unless I am so convinced, 
there is little chance of my following your counsel." 

" Mark, then," said Noma, " what I have to say on your son's score, 



$02 THE PIRATE. 

else what I shall say to you on your own will banish every other thought 
from your memory. You shall go to the approaching fair at Kirkwall ; 
and, on the fifth day of the fair, you shall walk at the hour of noon in 
the outer aisle of the Cathedral of Saint Magnus, and there you shall 
meet a person who will give you tidings of your son." 

" You must speak more distinctly, dame," returned Mertoun, scorn- 
fully, " if you hope that I should follow your counsel. I have been 
fooled in mv time by women, but never so grossly as you seem willing 
to gull me. 

" Hearken then !" said the old woman. " The word which I speak 
shall touch the nearest secret of thy life, and thrill thee through nerve 
and bone." 

So saying she whispered a word into Mertoun's ear, the effect of 
which seemed almost magical. He remained fixed and motionless with 
surprise, as, waving her arm slowly aloft with an air of superiority and 
triumph, Noma glided from him, turned round a corner of the ruins, 
and was soon out of sight. 

Mertoun offered not to follow or to trace her. " We fly from our 
fate in vain !" he said, as he began to recover himself ; and turning, he 
left behind him the desolate ruins with their cemetery. As he looked 
back from the very last point at which the church was visible, he saw 
the figure of Noma, muffled in her mantle, standing on the very sum- 
mit of the ruined tower, and stretching out to the sea-breeze something 
which resembled a white pennon or flag. A feeling of horror, similar 
to that excited by her last words, again thrilled through his bosom, and 
he hastened onwards with unwonted speed until he had left the church 
of Saint Ninian, with its bay of sand, far behind him. 

Upon his arrival at Jarlshof, the alteration in his countenance was 
so great, that Swertha conjectured he was about to fall into one of 
those fits of deep melancholy which she termed his dark hour. 

" And what better could be expected," thought Swertha, " when he 
must needs go visit Norna of the Fitful-head, when she was in the 
haunted kirk of Saint Ringan's?" 

But without testifying any other symptoms of an alienated mind 
than that of deep and sullen dejection, her master acquainted her with 
his intention to go to the fair of Kirkwall, — a thing so contrary to his 
usual habits that the housekeeper well-nigh refused to credit her ears. 
Shortly after he heard, with apparent indifference, the accounts re- 
turned by the different persons who had been sent out in quest of Mor- 
daunt, by sea and land, who all of them returned without any tidings. 
The equanimity with which Mertoun heard the report of their bad 
success convinced Swertha still more firmly that in his interview with 
Noma, that issue had been predicted to him by the sibyl whom he had 
consulted. 

The township were yet more surprised when their tacksman, Mr 
Mertoun, as if on some sudden resolution, made preparations to visit 
Kirkwall during the fair, although he had hitherto avoided sedulously 
all such places of public resort. Swertha puzzled herself a good deal 
without being able to penetrate this mystery ; and vexed herself still 
more concerning the fate of her young master. But her concern "was 
much softened by the deposit oi a sum of money, seeming, however 



THE PIKATE. 203 

moderate in itself, a treasure in her eyes, which her master put into her 
hands ; acquainting her, at the same time, that he had taken his passage 
for Krrkwali in a small bark belonging to the proprietor of the island 
of Mousa. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

Nae langer she wept, — her tears were a' spent,— 
Despair it was come, and she thought it content ; 
She thought it content, but her cheek it grew pale, 
And she droop'd, like a lily hroke down by the hail. 

Continuation of Auld Rolin GrayA 

The condition of Minna much resembled that of the village heroine 
in Lady Ann Lindsays beautiful ballad. Her natural firmness of mind 
prevented « her from sinking under the pressure of the horrible secret 
which haunted her while awake, and was yet more tormenting during 
her broken and hurried slumbers. There is no grief so dreadful as that 
which we dare not communicate, and in which we can neither ask nor 
desire sympathy ; and when to this is added the burden of a guilty 
mystery to an innocent bosom, there is little wonder that Minna's 
health should have sunk under the burden. 

To the friends around, her habits and manners, nay, her temper, 
seemed altered to such an extraordinary degree, that it is no wonder 
that some should have ascribed the change to witchcraft, and some to 
incipient madness. She became unable to bear the solitude in which 
she formerly delighted to spend her time ; yet when she hurried into 
society, it was without either joining in or attending to what passed. 
Generally she appeared wrapped in sad and even sullen abstraction, 
until her attention was suddenly roused by some casual mention of the 
name of Cleveland or of Mordaunt Mertoun, at which she started with 
the horror of one who sees the lighted match applied to a charged mine, 
and expects to be instantly involved in the effects of the explosion. 
And when she observed that the discovery was not yet made, it was so 
far from being a consolation, that she almost wished the worst was 
known, rather than endure the continued agonies of suspense. 

Her conduct towards her sister was so variable, yefc uniformly so pain- 
ful to the kind-hearted Brenda, that it seemed to all around one of 
the strongest features of her malady. Sometimes Minna was impelled 
to seek her sister's company as if by the consciousness that they were 
common sufferers by a misfortune of which she herself alone could grasp 
the extent ; and then suddenly the feeling of the injury which Brenda 
had received through the supposed agency of Cleveland, made her un- 
able to bear her presence, and still less to endure the consolation which 
her sister, mistaking the nature of her malady, vainly endeavoured to 
administer. Frequently also did it happen that, while Brenda was 
imploring her sister to take comfort, she incautiously touched upon some 
subject which thrilled to the very centre of her soul ; so that, unable 

1 It is worth while saying that this motto, and the ascription of the beautiful ballad 
from which it is taken to the Eight Honourable Lady Ann Lindsay, occasioned the 
ingenious authoress's acknowledgment of the ballad, of which the Editor, by her per- 
mission, published a small impression, inscribed to the Bannatyne Club. 



204 THE PIRATE. 

to conceal her agony, Minna would rush hastily from the apartment. 
All these different moods, though they too much resembled, to one who 
knew not their real source, the caprices of unkind estrangement, Brenda 
endured with such prevailing and unruffled gentleness of disposition, 
that Minna was frequently moved to shed floods of tears upon her neck ; 
and perhaps the moments in which she did so, though embittered by 
the recollection that her fatal secret concerned the destruction of 
Brenda' s happiness as well as her own, were still, softened as they were 
by sisterly affection, the most endurable moments of this most miser- 
able period of her life. 

The effects of the alternations of moping melancholy, fearful agita- 
tion, and bursts of nervous feeling, were soon visible on the poor young 
woman's face and person. She became pale and emaciated ; her eye 
lost the steady quiet look of happiness and innocence, and was alter- 
nately dim and wild, as she was acted upon by a general feeling of her 
own distressful condition, or by some quicker and more poignant sense 
of agony. Her very features seemed to change, and become sharp and 
eager, and her voice, which in its ordinary tones was low and placid, 
now sometimes sunk in indistinct mutterings, and sometimes was raised 
beyond the natural key in hasty and abrupt exclamations. When in 
company with others she was sullenly silent, and, when she ventured 
into solitude, was observed (for it was now thought very proper to watch 
her on such occasions) to speak much to herself: 

The pharmacy of the islands was in vain resorted to by Minna's 
anxious father. Sages of both sexes, who knew the virtues of every 
herb which drinks the dew, and augmented these virtues by words of 
might, used while they prepared and applied the medicines, were at- 
tended with no benefit ; and Magnus, in the utmost anxiety, was at 
last induced to have recourse to the advice of his kinswoman, Noma of 
the Fitful-head, although, owing to circumstances noticed in the course 
of the story, there was at this time some estrangement between them. 
His first application was in vain. — Noma was then at her usual place 
of residence upon the sea-coast, near the headland from which she 
usually took her designation ; but although Eric Scambester himself 
brought the message, she refused positively to see him or to return any 
answer. 

Magnus was angry at the slight put upon his messenger and mes- 
sage ; but his anxiety on Minna's account, as well as the respect which 
he had for Noma's real misfortunes and imputed wisdom and power, 
prevented him from indulging, on the present occasion, his usual irri- 
tability of disposition. On the contrary, he determined to make an 
application to his kinswoman in his own person. He kept his purpose, 
however, to himself, and only desired his daughters to be in readiness 
to attend him upon a visit to a relation whom he had not seen for some 
time, and directed them, at the same time, to carry some provisions 
along with them, as the journey was distant, and they might perhaps 
find their friend unprovided. 

Unaccustomed to ask explanations of his pleasure, and hoping that 
exercise and the amusement of such an excursion might be of service 
to her sister, Brenda, upon whom all household ana family charges 
now devolved, caused the necessary preparations to be made for the 



THE PIRATE. 205 

expedition ; and on the next morning they were engaged in tracing 
the long and tedious course of beach and of moorland which, only va- 
ried by occasional patches of oats and barley, where a little ground had 
been selected for cultivation, divided Burgh-Westra from the north- 
western extremity of the Mainland (as the principal island is called), 
which terminates in the cape called Fitful-head, as the south-western 
point ends in the cape of Sumburgh. 

On they went, through wild and over wold, the Udaller bestriding a 
strong, square-made, well-barrelled palfrey, of Norwegian breed, some- 
what taller, and yet as stout, as the ordinary ponies of the country ; 
while Minna and Brenda, famed, amongst other accomplishments, for 
their horsemanship, rode two of those hardy animals, which, bred and 
reared with more pains than is usually bestowed, showed, both by the 
neatness of their form and their activity, that the race, so much and so 
carelessly neglected, is capable of being improved into beauty without 
losing anything of its spirit or vigour. They were attended by two 
servants on horseback and two on foot, secure that the last circum- 
stance would be no delay to then journey, because a great part of the 
way was so rugged, or so marshy, that the horses could only move at a 
foot pace ; and that, whenever they met with any considerable tract of 
hard and even ground, they had only to borrow from the nearest herd 
of ponies the use of a couple for the accommodation, of these pedestrians. 

The journey was a melancholy one, and little conversation passed, 
except when the Udaller, pressed by impatience and vexation, urged 
his pony to a quick pace, and again, recollecting Minna's weak state of 
health, slackened to a walk, and reiterated inquiries how she felt her- 
self, and whether the fatigue was not too much for her. At noon, the 
party halted, and partook of some refreshment, for which they had 
made ample provision, beside a pleasant spring, the pureness of whose 
waters, however, did not suit the Udaller' s palate until qualified by a 
liberal addition of right Nantz. After he had a second, yea, and a 
third time, filled a large silver travelling-cup, embossed with a German 
Cupid smoking a pipe, and a German Bacchus emptying his flask down 
the throat of a bear, he began to become more talkative than vexation 
had permitted him to be during the early part of their journey, and 
thus addressed his daughters : — 

" Well, children, we are within a league or two of Noma's dwelling, 
and we shall soon see how the old spell-mutterer will receive us." 

Minna interrupted her father with a faint exclamation ; while Brenda, 
surprised to a great degree, exclaimed, " Is it then to Noma that we 
are to make this visit 1 — Heaven forbid !" 

"And wherefore should Heaven forbid?" said the Udaller, knitting 
his brows ; " wherefore, I would gladly know, should heaven forbid me 
to visit my kinswoman, whose skill may be of use to your sister, if any 
woman in Zetland, or man either, can be of service to her ? — You are 
a fool, Brenda, — your sister has more sense. — Cheer up, Minna ! — thou 
wert ever wont to like her songs and stories, and used to hang about 
her neck, when little Brenda cried, and ran from her like a Spanish 
merchantman from a Dutch caper." 1 

1 A light-armed vessel of the seventeenth century, adapted for privateering, and 
much used by the Dutch. 



206 THE PIRATE. 



replied 



" I wish she may not frighten me as much to-day, father," replie 
Brenda, desirous of indulging Minna in her taciturnity, and at the 
same time to amuse her father by sustaining the conversation ; "I have 
heard so much of her dwelling that I am rather alarmed at the thought 
of going there uninvited." 

"Thou art a fool," said Magnus, "to think that a visit from her 
kinsfolks can ever come amiss to a kind, hearty, Hialtland heart, like 
my cousin Noma's. — And, now I think on't, I will be sworn that is 
the reason why she would not receive Eric Scambester ! — It is many a 
long day since I have seen her chimney smoke, and I have never car- 
ried you thither ;— she hath indeed some right to call me unkind. But 
I will tell her the truth — and that is, that though such be the fashion, 
I do not think it is fair or honest to eat up the substance of lone women- 
folks, as we do that of our brother Udallers, when we roll about from 
house to house in the winter season, until we gather like a snowball, 
and eat up all wherever we come." 

" There is no fear of our putting Noma to any distress just now," 
replied Brenda, " for I have ample provision of everything that we can 
possibly need — fish, and bacon, and salted mutton, and dried geese — 
more than we could eat in a week, besides enough of liquor for you, 
father." 

" Right, right, my girl !" said the Udaller ; " a well-found ship makes 
a merry voyage — so we shall only want the kindness of Noma's roof, 
and a little bedding for you ; for, as to myself, my sea-cloak and honest 
dry boards of Norway deal suit me better than your eider-down cushions 
and mattresses. So that Noma will have the pleasure of seeing us 
without having a stiver's worth of trouble." 

" I wish she may think it a pleasure, sir," replied Brenda. 

" Why, what does the girl mean, in the name of the Martyr !" re- 
plied Magnus Troil ; " dost thou think my kinswoman is a heathen, 
who will not rejoice to see her own flesh and blood? — I would I were 
as sure of a good year's fishing ! — No, no ! I only fear we may find her 
from home at present, for she is often a wanderer, and all with thinking 
over much on what can never be helped." 

Minna sighed deeply as her father spoke, and the Udaller went 
on: — 

" Dost thou sigh at that, my girl ;— why, 'tis the fault of half the 
world — let it never be thine own, Minna." 

Another suppressed sigh intimated that the caution came too late. _ 

" I believe you are afraid of my cousin as well as Brenda is," said 
the Udaller, gazing on her pale countenance ; " if so, speak the word, 
and we will return back again as if we had the wind on our quarter, 
and were running fifteen knots by the line." 

" Do, for Heaven's sake, sister, let us return !" said Brenda, im- 
ploringly ; " you know — you remember — you must be well aware that 
Norna can do nought to help you." 

" It is but too true," said Minna, in a subdued voice ; " but I know 
not — she may answer a question — a question that only the miserable 
dare ask of the miserable. 

" Nay, my kinswoman is no miser," answered the Udaller, who only 
heard the beginning of the word ; " a good income she has, both in 



THE PIRATE. 207 

Orkney and here, and many a fair lispund of butter is paid to her. 
But the poor have the best share of it, and shame fall the Zetlander 
who begrudges them; the rest she spends, I wot not how, in her 
journeys through the islands. But you will laugh to see her house, 
and Nick Strumpfer, whom she calls Pacolet— many folks think Nick 
is the devil ; but he is flesh and blood like any of us— his father lived 
in Grsemsay. — I shall be glad to see Nick again." 

While the Udaller thus ran on, Brenda, who, in recompense for a 
less portion of imagination than her sister, was gifted with sound com- 
mon sense, was debating with herself the probable effect of this visit on 
her sister's health. She came finally to the resolution of speaking with 
her father aside upon the first occasion which their journey should 
afford. To him she determined to communicate the whole particulars 
of their nocturnal interview with Noma, — to which, among other 
agitating causes, she attributed the depression of Minna's spirits, — 
and then make himself the judge whether he ought to persist in his 
visit to a person so singular, and expose his daughter to all the shock 
which her nerves might possibly receive from the interview. 

Just as she had arrived at this conclusion, her father, dashing the 
crumbs from his laced waistcoat with one hand, and receiving with the 
other a fourth cup of brandy and water, drank devoutly to the success 
of their voyage, and ordered all to be in readiness to set forward. 
Whilst they were saddling their ponies, Brenda, with some difficulty, 
contrived to make her father understand she wished to speak with 
him in private — no small surprise to the honest Udaller, who, though 
secret as the grave in the very few things where he considered secrecy as 
of importance, was so far from practising mystery in general, that his 
most important affairs were often discussed by him openly in presence 
of his whole family, servants included. 

But far greater was his astonishment when, remaining purposely 
with his daughter Brenda, a little in the wake, as he termed it, of the 
other riders, he heard the whole account of Noma's visit to Burgh- 
Westra, and of the communication with which she had then astounded 
his daughters. For a long time he could utter nothing but interj ections, 
and ended with a thousand curses on his kinswoman's folly in telling 
his daughters such a history of horror. 

" I have often heard," said the Udaller, " that she was quite mad, 
with all her wisdom, and all her knowledge of the seasons ; and, by 
the bones of my namesake, the Martyr, I begin now to believe it most 
assuredly ! I know no more how to steer than if I had lost' my com- 
pass. Had I known this before we set out, I think I had remained 
at home ; but now that we have come so far, and that Noma expects 
us " 

" Expects us, father !" said Brenda ; "how can that be possible ?" 

" Why, that I know not— but she that can tell how the wind is to 
blow, can tell which way we are designing to ride. She must not be 
provoked ;— perhaps she has done my family this ill for the words I had 
with her about that lad Mordaunt Mertoun, and if so, she can undo it 
again ;— and so she shall, or I will know the cause wherefore. But I 
will try fair words first." 

Finding it thus settled that they were to go forward, Brenda en- 



208 THE PIRATE. 

deavoured next to learn from her father whether Noma's tale was 
founded in reality. He shook his head, groaned bitterly, and, in a few 
words, acknowledged that the whole, so far as concerned her intrigue 
with a stranger, and her father's death, of which she became the acci- 
dental and most innocent cause, was a matter- of sad and indisputable 
truth. " For her infant," he said, " he could never, by any means, 
learn what became of it." 

" Her infant !" exclaimed Brenda ; " she spoke not a word of her 
infant !" 

" Then I wish my tongue had been blistered," said the Udaller, 
" when I told you of it ! — I see that, young and old, a man has no 
better chance of keeping a secret from you women, than an eel to keep 
himself in his hold when he is sniggled with a loop of horse-hair — 
sooner or later the fisher teazes him out of his hole, when he has once 
the noose round his neck." 

" But the infant, my father," said Brenda, still insisting on the par- 
ticulars of this extraordinary story, "what became of it?" 

" Carried off, I fancy, by the blackguard Vaughan," answered the 
Udaller, with a gruff accent, which plainly betokened how weary he 
was of the subject. 

"By Vaughan?" said Brenda, "the lover of poor Noma, doubt- 
less ! — what sort of man was he, father ?" 

" Why, much like other men, I fancy," answered the Udaller ; " I 
never saw him in my life. He kept company with the Scottish families 
at Kirkwall ; and I with the good old Norse folk. Ah ! if Noma had 
dwelt always amongst her own kin, and not kept company with hei 
Scottish acquaintance, she would have known nothing of Vaughan, 
and things might have been otherwise. But then I should have known 
nothing of your blessed mother, Brenda — and that," he said, his large 
blue eyes shining with a tear, "would have saved me a short joy and 
a long sorrow." 

" Noma could but ill have supplied my mother's place to you, father, 
as a companion and a friend — that is, judging from all I have heard,' : 
said Brenda, with some hesitation. But Magnus, softened by recollec- 
tions of his beloved wife, answered her with more indulgence than she 
expected. 

"I would have been content," he said, "to have wedded Noma a1 
that time. It would have been the soldering of an old quarrel— the 
healing of an old sore. All our blood relations wished it, and, situated 
as I was, especially not having seen your blessed mother, I had little 
will to oppose their counsels. You must not judge of Noma or of me 
by such an appearance as Ave now present to you. She was young and 
beautiful, and I gamesome as a Highland buck, and little caring whal 
haven I made for, having, as I thought, more than one under my lee, 
But Noma preferred this man Vaughan, and, as I told you before, it 
was perhaps the best kindness she could have done to me." 

" Ah, poor kinswoman !" said Brenda. " But believe you, father, 
in the high powers which she claims— in the mysterious vision of the 
dwarf — in the " 

She Avas. interrupted in these questions by Magnus, to Avhom they 
were obviously displeasing. 



THE PIRATE. 209 

" I believe, Brenda," he said, " according to the belief of niy fore- 
fathers. I pretend not to be a wiser man than they were in their 
time,— and they all believed that, in cases of great worldly distress, 
Providence opened the eyes of the mind, and afforded the sufferers a 
vision of futurity. It was but a trimming of the boat, with reverence,' ' — 
here he touched his hat reverentially ; " and after all the shifting of 
ballast, poor Noma is as heavily loaded in the bows as ever was an 
Orkneyman's yawl at the dog-fishing — she has more than affliction 
enough on board to balance whatever gifts she may have had in the 
midst of her calamity. They are as painful to her, poor soul, as a 
crown of thorns would be to her brows, though it were the badge of the 
empire of Denmark. And do not you, Brenda, seek to be wiser than 
your fathers. Your sister Minna, before she was so ill, had as much 
reverence for whatever was produced in Norse, as if it had been in the 
Pope's bull, which is all written in pure Latin." 

"Poor Noma!" repeated Brenda; "and her child — was it never 
recovered ?" 

" What do I know of her child ?" said the Udaller, more gruffly than 
before, " except that she was very ill, both before and after the birth, 
though we kept her as merry as we could with pipe and harp, and so 
forth ; the child had come before its time into tins bustling world, so it 
is likely it has been long dead. But you know nothing of all these 
matters, Brenda, so get along for a foolish girl, and ask no more ques- 
tions about Avhat it does not become you to inquire into." 

So saying the Udaller gave his sturdy little palfrey the spur, and 
cantering forward over rough and smooth, while the pony's accuracy 
and firmness of step put all difficulties of the path at secure defiance, 
he placed himself soon by the side of the melancholy Minna, and per- 
mitted her sister to have no further share in his conversation than as it 
was addressed to them jointly. She could but comfort herself with the 
hope, that, as Minna's disease appeared to have its seat in the imagina- 
tion, the remedies recommended by Noma might have some chance of 
being effectual, since in all probability they would be addressed to the 
same faculty. 

Their way had hitherto held chiefly over moss and moor, varied oc- 
casionally by the necessity of making a circuit around the heads of 
those long lagoons, called voes, which run up into and indent the coun- 
try in such a manner, that, though the Mainland of Zetland may be 
thirty miles or more in length, there is, perhaps, no part of it which is 
more than three miles distant from the salt water. But they had now 
approached the north-western extremity of the isle, and travelled along 
the top of an immense ridge of rocks, which had for ages withstood the 
rage of the Northern Ocean, and of all the winds by which it is buf- 
feted. 

At length exclaimed Magnus to his daughters, " There is Noma's 
Iwelling ! Look up, Minna, my love ; for if this does not make you 
laugh, nothing will. Saw you ever anything but an osprey that would 
lave made such a nest for herself as that is 1 By my namesake's 
oones, there is not the like of it that living thing ever dwelt in (having 
10 wings and the use of reason), unless it chanced to be the Frawa- 
Stack off Papa, where the king's daughter of Norway was shut up to 

o 



210 THE PIRATE. 

keep her from her lovers— and all to little purpose, if the tale be true j 1 
for, maidens, I would have you to wot that it is hard to keep flax 
from the lowe." 2 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Thrice from the cavern's darksome womb 

Her groaning voice arose ; 
And come, my daughter, fearless come, 

And fearless tell thy woes ! 

Meikle. 

The dwelling of Noma, though none but a native of Zetland, familiar 
during his whole life with every variety of rock-scenery, could have 
seen anything ludicrous in this situation, was not unaptly compared by 
Magnus Troil to the eyry of the osprey, or sea-eagle. It was very 
small, and had been fabricated out of one of those dens which are called 
Burghs and Picts-houses in Zetland, and Duns on the mainland of 
Scotland and the Hebrides, and which seem to be the first effort at 
architecture — the connecting link betwixt a fox's hole in a cairn of 
loose stones^ and an attempt to construct a human habitation out of the 
same materials without the use of lime or cement of any kind — without 
any timber, so far as can be seen from their remains — without any 
knowledge of the arch or of the stair. Such as they are, however, the 
numerous remains of these dwellings, for there is one found on every 
headland, islet, or point of vantage which could afford the inhabitants 
additional means of defence, tend to prove that the remote people by 
whom these burghs were constructed were a numerous race, and that 
the islands had then a much greater population than, from other cir- 
cumstances, we might have been led to anticipate. 

The burgh of which we at present speak had been altered and re- 
paired at a later period, probably by some petty despot or sea-rover, 
who, tempted, by the security of the situation, which occupied the whole 
of a projecting point of rock, and was divided from the mainland by a 
rent or chasm of some depth, had built some additions to it in the 
rudest style of Gothic defensive architecture ;— had plastered the inside 
with lime and clay, and broken out windows for the admission of light 
and air ; and, finally, by roofing it over and dividing it into stories, by 
means of beams of wreck-wood, had converted the whole into a tower, 
resembling a pyramidical dovecot formed by a double wall, still contain- 
ing within its thickness that set of circular galleries or concentric rings, 
which is proper to all the forts of this primitive construction, and which 
seem to have constituted the only shelter which they were originally 
qualified to afford to their shivering inhabitants. 3 

This singular habitation, built out of the loose stones which lay 
scattered around, and exposed for ages to the vicissitudes of the ele- 
ments, was as gray, weatherbeaten and wasted, as the rock on which 

1 The Fruw-Stark, or Maiden Rock, an inaccessible cliff, divided by a narrow gulf 
from the island of Papa, has on the summit some ruins, concerning which there is a 
legend similar to that of Danae. 

* Lowe, flame. 3 See Note U. Tlie Pictish Burgh. 



THE PIRATE. 211 

it was founded, and from which it could not easily be distinguished, so 
completely did it resemble in colour, and so little did it differ in regu- 
larity of shape from, a pinnacle or fragment of the cliff. 

Minna's habitual indifference to all that of late had passed around 
her was for a moment suspended by the sight of an abode, which, at 
another and happier period of her life, would have attracted at once 
her curiosity and her wonder. Even now she seemed to feel interest as 
she gazed upon this singular retreat, and recollected it was that of 
certain misery and probable insanity, connected, as its inhabitant 
asserted, and Minna's faith admitted, with power over the elements 
and the capacity of intercourse with the invisible world. 

" Our kinswoman," she muttered, " has chosen her dwelling well. 
with no more of earth than a sea-fowl might rest upon, and all around 
sightless tempests and raging waves. Despair and magical power could 
not have a fitter residence." 

Brenda, on the other hand, shuddered when she looked on the 
dwelling to which they were advancing by a difficult, dangerous, and 
precarious path, which sometimes, to her great terror, approached to 
the verge of the precipice ; so that, Zetlander as she was, and confident, 
as she had reason to be, in the steadiness and sagacity of the sure- 
footed pony, she could scarce suppress an inclination to giddiness, 
especially at one point, when being foremost of the party, and turning 
a sharp angle of the rock, her feet, as they projected from the side of 
the pony, hung for an instant sheer over the ledge of the precipice, so 
that there was nothing save empty space betwixt the sole of her 
shoe and the white foam of the vexed ocean, which dashed, howled, 
and foamed five hundred feet below. What would have driven a 
maiden of another country into delirium, gave her but a momentary 
uneasiness, which was instantly lost in the hope that the impression 
which the scene appeared to make on her sister's imagination might be 
favourable to her cure. 

She could not help looking back to see how Minna should pass the 
point of peril which she herself had just rounded ; and could hear the 
strong voice of the Udaller, though to him such rough paths were 
familiar as the smooth sea-beach, call, in atone of some anxiety, " Take 
heed, jarto," x as Minna, with an eager look, dropped her bridle and 
stretched forward her arms, and even her body, over the precipice, in 
the attitude of the wild swan when, balancing itself, and spreading its 
broad pinions, it prepares to launch from the cliff on the bosom of the 
winds. Brenda felt, at that instant, a pang of unutterable terror, which 
left a strong impression on her nerves, even when relieved, as it in- 
stantly was, by her sister recovering herself and sitting upright on her 
saddle, the opportunity and temptation (if she felt it) passing away, as 
the quiet steady animal which supported her rounded the projecting 
angle, and turned its patient and firm step from the verge of the 
precipice. 

They now attained a more level and open space of ground, being the 
flat top of an isthmus of projecting rock, narrowing again towards a 
point, where it was terminated by the chasm which separated the small 
peak or stack, occupied by .Noma's habitation, from the main ridge of 

1 Jarto, my dear. 



212 THE PIRATE. 

cliff and precipice. This natural fosse, which seemed to have been the 
work of some convulsion of nature, was deep, dark, and irregular, 
narrower towards the bottom, which could not be distinctly seen, and 
widest at top, having the appearance as if that part of the cliff occupied 
by the building had been half rent away from the isthmus which it 
terminated, — an idea favoured by the angle at which it seemed to re- 
cede from the land, and lean towards the sea, with the building which 
crowned it. 

This angle of projection was so considerable, that it required recol- 
lection to dispel the idea that the rock, so much removed from the per- 
pendicular, was about to precipitate itself seaward, with its old tower ; 
and a timorous person would have been afraid to put foot upon it, lest 
an addition of weight, so inconsiderable as that of the human body, 
should hasten a catastrophe which seemed at every instant impending. 

Without troubling himself about such fantasies the Udaller rode 
towards the tower, and there dismounting along with his daughters, 
gave the ponies in charge to one of their domestics, with directions to 
disencumber them of their burdens, and turn them out for rest and re- 
freshment upon the nearest heath. This done, they approached the 
gate, which seemed formerly to have been connected with the land by 
a rude drawbridge, some of the apparatus of which was still visible. 
But the rest had been long demolished, and was replaced by a station- 
ary footbridge, formed of barrel-staves covered with turf, very narrow 
and ledgeless, and supported by a sort of arch constructed out of the 
jaw-bones of the whale. Along this " brigg of dread" the Udaller 
stepped with his usual portly majesty of stride, which threatened its 
demolition and his own at the same time ; his daughters trode more 
lightly and more safely after him, and the whole party stood before the 
low and rugged portal of Noma's habitation. 

" If she should be abroad after all," said Magnus, as he plied the 
black oaken door with repeated blows ; — " but if so, we will at least lie 
by a day for her return, and make Nick Strumpfer pay the demurrage 
in bland and brandy." 

As he spoke the door opened, and displayed, to the alarm of Brenda, 
and the surprise of Minna herself, a square-made dwarf, about four 
feet five inches high, with a head of most portentous size, and features 
correspondent— namely, a huge mouth, a tremendous nose, with large 
black nostrils, which seemed to have been slit upwards, blubber lips of 
an unconscionable size, and huge wall-eyes, with which he leered, 
sneered, grinned, and goggled on the Udaller as an old acquaintance, 
without uttering a single word. The young women could hardly per- 
suade themselves that they did not see before their eyes the very demon 
Trolld, who made such a distinguished figure in Noma's legend. Their 
father went on addressing this uncouth apparition in terms of such 
condescending friendship as the better sort apply to their inferiors, 
when they wish, for any immediate purpose, to conciliate or coax them, 
— a tone, by-the-by, which generally contains, in its very familiarity, 
as much offence as the more direct assumption of distance and supe- 
riority. 

" Ha, Nick ! honest Nick !" said the Udaller, " here you are, lively 
and lovely as Saint Nicholas your namesake, when he is carved with an 



THE PIRATE. 213 

axe for the headpiece of a Dutch dogger. How dost thou do, Nick, or 
Pacolet, if you like that better ? Nicholas, here are my two daughters, 
nearly as handsome as thyself thou seest." 

Nick grinned, and did a clumsy obeisance by way of courtesy, but 
kept his broad misshapen person firmly placed in the doorway. 

" Daughters," continued the Udaller, who seemed to have his reasons 
for speaking this Cerberus fair, at least according to his own notions of 
propitiation, — " this is Nick Strumpfer, maidens, whom^ his mistress 
calls Pacolet, being a light-limbed dwarf as you see, like him that wont 
to fly about like a Scourie on his wooden hobbyhorse, in the old story- 
book of Valentine and Orson, that you, Minna, used to read whilst you 
were a child. I assure you he can keep his mistress's counsel, and 
never told one of her secrets in his life — ha, ha, ha !" 

The ugly dwarf grinned ten times wider than before, and showed the 
meaning of the Udaller' s jest, by opening his immense jaws, and throw- 
ing back his head, so as to discover that, in the immense cavity of his 
mouth, there only remained the small shrivelled remnant of. a tongue, 
capable, perhaps, of assisting him in swallowing his food, but unequal 
to the formation of articulate sounds. Whether this organ had been 
curtailed by cruelty, or injured by disease, it was impossible to guess ; 
but that the unfortunate being had not been originally dumb was evi- 
dent from his retaining the sense of hearing. Having made this horrible 
exhibition, he repaid the Udaller' s mirth with a loud, horrid, and dis- 
cordant laugh, which had something in it ihe more hideous that his 
mirth seemed to be excited by his own misery. The sisters looked on 
each other in silence and fear, and even the Udaller appeared discon- 
certed. 

"And how now ?" he proceeded after a minute's pause, "when didst 
thou wash that throat of thine, that is about the width of the Pentland 
Frith, with a cup of brandy 1 Ha, Nick ! I have that with me which 
is sound stuff, boy, ha!" 

The dwarf bent his beetle brows, shook his misshapen head, and made 
a quick sharp indication, throwing his right hand up to his shoulder 
with the thumb pointed backwards. 

"What ! my kinswoman," said the Udaller, comprehending the signal, 
"will be angry? Well, shalt have a flask to carouse when she is from 
home, old acquaintance ; — lips and throats may swallow though they 
cannot speak. 

Pacolet grinned a grim assent. 

"And now," said the Udaller, "stand out of the way, Pacolet, and 
let me carry my daughters to see their kinswoman. By the bones of 
Saint Magnus it shall be a good turn in thy way — nay, never shake thy 
head, man ; for if thy mistress be at home ; see her we will." 

The dwarf again intimated the impossibility of their being admitted, 
partly by signs, partly by mumbling some uncouth and most disagree- 
able sounds, and the Udaller' s mood began to arise. 

" Tittle tattle, man !" said he ; " trouble not me with thy gibberish, 
but stand out of the way, and the blame, if there be any, shall rest with 
me." 

So saying, Magnus Troil laid his sturdy hand upon the collar of the 
recusant dwarf's jacket of blue wadmaal, and with a strong, but not a 



214 THE PIRATE. 

violent grasp, removed him from the doorway, pushed him gently aside 
and entered, followed by his two daughters, whom a sense of apprehen- 
sion, arising out of all which they saw and heard, kept very close to 
him. A crooked and dusky passage through which Magnus led the 
way was dimly enlightened by a shot-hole communicating with the in- 
terior of the building, and originally intended, doubtless, to command 
the entrance by a hagbut or culverin. As they approached nearer, for 
they walked slowly and with hesitation, the light, imperfect as it was, 
was suddenly obscured ; and, on looking upward to discern the cause, 
Brenda was startled to observe the pale and obscurely-seen countenance 
of Noma gazing downward upon them, without speaking a word. There 
was nothing extraordinary in this, as the mistress of the mansion might 
be naturally enough looking out to see what guests were thus suddenly 
and unceremoniously intruding themselves on her presence. Still, how- 
ever, the natural paleness of her features, exaggerated by the light in 
which they were at present exhibited, — the immovable sternness of her 
look, which showed neither kindness nor courtesy of civil reception, — 
her dead silence, and the singular appearance of everything about her 
dwelling, augmented the dismay winch Brenda had already conceived. 
Magnus Troll and Minna had walked slowly forward without observing 
the apparition of their singular hostess. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

The witch then raised her wither'd arm, 

And waved her wand on high, 
And, while she spoke the mutter'd charm, 

Dark lightning fill'd her eye. 

Mkikle. 

" This should be the stair," said the Udaller, blundering in the dark 
against some steps of irregular ascent — " This should be the stair, un- 
less my memory greatly fail me ; ay, and there she sits," he added, 
pausing at a half-open door, " with all her tackle about her as usual, 
and as busy, doubtless, as the devil in a gale of wind." 

As he made this irreverent comparison, he entered, followed by his 
daughters, the darkened apartment in which Noma was seated, amidst 
a confused collection of books of various languages, parchment scrolls, 
tablets and stones inscribed with the straight and angular characters of 
the Runic alphabet, and similar articles, which the Vulgar might have 
connected with the exercise of the forbidden arts. There were also 
lying in the chamber, or hung over the rude and ill-contrived chimney, 
an old shirt of mail, with the headpiece, battle-axe, and lance, which 
had once belonged to it ; and on a shelf were disposed, in great order, 
several of those curious stone axes, formed of green granite, which are 
often found in these islands, where they are called thunderbolts by the 
common people, who usually preserve them as a charm of security 
against the effects of lightning. There was, moreover, to be seen amid 
the strange collection, a stone sacrificial knife, used perhaps for immo- 
lating human victims, and one or two of the brazen implements called 



THE PIRATE. 215 

Celts, the purpose of which has troubled the repose of so many anti- 
quaries! A variety of other articles, some of which had neither name 
nor were capable of description, lay in confusion about the apartment ; 
and in one corner, on a quantity of withered sea- weed, reposed what 
seemed, at first view, to be a large unshapely dog, but, when seen more 
closely, proved to be a tame seal, which it had been Noma's amusement 
to domesticate. 

This uncouth favourite bristled up in its corner, upon the arrival of 
so many strangers, with an alertness similar to that which a terrestrial 
dog would have displayed on a similar occasion ; but Noma remained 
motionless, seated behind a table of rough granite, propped up by mis- 
shapen feet of the same material, which, besides the old book with 
which she seemed to be busied, sustained a cake of the coarse unlea- 
vened bread, three parts oatmeal, and one the sawdust of fir, which is 
used by the poor peasants of Norway, beside which stood a jar of water. 

Magnus Troil remained a minute in silence gazing upon his kins- 
woman, while the singularity of her mansion inspired Brenda with 
much fear, and changed, though but for a moment, the melancholy and 
abstracted mood of Minna into a feeling of interest not unmixed with 
awe. The silence was interrupted by the Udaller, who, unwilling on 
the one hand to give his kinswoman offence, and desirous on the other 
to show that he was not daunted by a reception so singular, opened the 
conversation thus : — 

"I give you good e'en, cousin Noma — my daughters and I have 
come far to see you." 

Noma raised her eyes from her volume, looked full at her visitors, 
then let them quietly sit down on the leaf with which she seemed to 
be engaged. 

"Nay, cousin," said Magnus, "take your own time — our business 
with you can wait your leisure. — See here, Minna, what a fair prospect 
here is of the cape, scarce a quarter of a mile off ! — you may see the 
billows breaking on it topmast high. Our kinswoman has got a pretty 
seal, too. — Here, sealchie, my man, whew, whew !" 

The seal took no farther notice of the Udaller' s advances to acquaint- 
ance than by uttering a low growl. 

" He is not so well trained," continued the Udaller, affecting an air 
of ease and unconcern, " as Peter MacRaw's, the old piper of Storno- 
way, who had a seal that flapped its tail to the tune of Caberfae, and 
acknowledged no other whatever. 1 — Well, cousin," he concluded, ob- 
serving that Noma closed her book, " are you going to give us a wel- 
come at last, or must we go farther than our blood-relation's house to 
seek one, and that when the evening is wearing late apace ?" 

" Ye dull and hard-hearted generation, as deaf as the adder to the 
voice of the charmer," answered Noma, addressing them, "why come 
ye to me 1 You have slighted every warning I could give of the coming 
harm, and now that it hath come upon you, ye seek my counsel when 
it can avail you nothing." 

1 The MacRaws were followers of the MacKenzies, whose chief has the name of Ca- 
berfae, or Buckshead, from the cognisance borne on his standards. Unquestionably, 
the worthy piper trained the seal on the same principle of respect to the clan-term 
which I have heard has been taught to dogs, who, unused to any other air, dance 
after their fashion to the tune of Caberfae. 



216 THE PIRATE. 

" Look you, kinswoman," said the Udaller, with his usual frankness 
and boldness of manner and accent, " I must needs tell you that your 
courtesy is something of the coarsest and the coldest. I cannot say 
that I ever saw an adder, in regard there are none in these parts ; hut 
touching my own thoughts of what such a thing may be, it cannot be 
termed a suitable comparison to me or to my daughters, and that I 
would have you to know. For old acquaintance, and certain other 
reasons, I do not leave your house upon the instant ; but as I came 
hither in all kindness and civility, so I pray you to receive me with the 
like, otherwise we will depart, and leave shame on your inhospitable 
threshold." 

" How !" said Noma, " dare you use such bold language in the house 
of one from whom all men — from whom you yourself — come to solicit 
counsel and aid \ They who speak to the Reimkennar must lower their 
voice to her before whom winds and waves hush both blast and billow." 

" Blast and billow may hush themselves if they will," replied the 
peremptory Udaller, " but that will not I. I speak in the house of my 
friend as in my own, and strike sail to none." 

"And hope ye," said Noma, "by this rudeness to compel me to 
answer to your interrogatories ?" 

" Kinswoman," replied Magnus Troil, " I know not so much as you 
of the old Norse sagas ; but this I know, that when kempies were wont, 
long since, to seek the habitations of the gall-dragons and spaewomen, 
they came with their axes on their shoulders, and their good swords 
drawn in their hands, and compelled the power -whom they invoked to 
listen to and to answer them, ay, were it Odin himself." 

" Kinsman," said Noma, arising from her seat and coming forward, 
"thou hast spoken well, and in good time for thyself and thy daughters ; 
for hadst thou turned from my threshold without extorting an answer, 
morning's sun had never again shone upon you. The spirits who serve 
me are jealous, and will not be employed in aught that may benefit 
humanity, unless their service is commanded by the undaunted impor- 
tunity of the brave and the free. And now speak, what wouldst tnou 
have of me V 

" My daughter's health," replied Magnus, " which no remedies have 
been able to restore." 

" Thy daughter's health ?" answered Noma ; " and what is the 
maiden's ailment?" 

"The physician," said Troil, "must name the disease. All that I 
can tell thee of it is " 

" Be silent," said Noma, interrupting him ; " I know all thou canst 
tell me, and more than thou thyself knowest. Sit down, all of you — 
and thou, maiden," she said, addressing Minna, "sit thou in that 
chair," pointing to the place she had just left, " once the seat of Gier- 
vada, at whose voice the stars hid their beams, and the moon herself 
grew pale." 

Minna moved with slow and tremulous step towards the rude seat 
thus indicated to her. It was composed of stone, formed into some 
■semblance of a chair by the rough and unskilful hand of some ancient 
Gothic artist. 

Brenda, creeping as close as possible to her father, seated herself 



THE PIRATE. 217 

along with him upon a bench at some distance from Minna, and kept 
her eyes, with a mixture of fear, pity, and anxiety, closely fixed upon 
her. It would be difficult altogether to decipher the emotions by which 
this amiable and affectionate girl was agitated at the moment. Defi- 
cient in her sister's predominating quality of high imagination, and 
little credulous, of course, to the marvellous, she could not but entertain 
some vague and indefinite fears on her own account concerning the na- 
ture of the scene which was soon to take place. But these were in a 
manner swallowed up in her apprehensions on the score of her sister, 
who, with a frame so much weakened, spirits so much exhausted, and 
a mind so susceptible of the impressions which all around her was cal- 
culated to excite, now sat pensively resigned to the agency of one whose 
treatment might produce the most baneful effects upon such a subject. 

Brenda gazed at Minna, who sat in that rude chair of dark stone, 
her finely-formed shape and limbs making the strongest contrast with 
its ponderous and irregular angles, her cheek and lips as pale as clay, 
and her eyes turned upward, and lighted with the mixture of resigna- 
tion and excited enthusiasm which belonged to her disease and her cha- 
racter. The younger sister then looked on Noma, who muttered to 
herself in a low monotonous manner as, gliding from one place to an- 
other, she collected different articles, which she placed one by one on 
the table. And lastly, Brenda looked anxiously to her father, to gather, 
if possible, from his countenance whether he entertained any part of 
her own fears for the consequences of the scene which was to ensue, 
considering the state of Minna's health and spirits. But Magnus Troil 
seemed to have no such apprehensions ; he viewed with stern compo- 
sure Noma's preparations, and appeared to wait the event with the 
composure of one who, confiding in the skill of a medical artist, sees 
him preparing to enter upon some important and painful operation, in 
the issue of which he is interested by friendship or by affection. 

Noma, meanwhile, went onward with her preparations, until she had 
placed on the stone table a variety of miscellaneous articles, and among 
the rest a small chafing-dish full of charcoal, a crucible, and a piece of 
thin sheet-lead. She then spoke aloud — " It is well that I was aware 
of your coming hither— ay, long before you yourself had resolved it — 
how should I else have been prepared for that which is now to be 
done ? — Maiden," she continued, addressing Minna, " where lies thy 
pain ?" 

The patient answered by pressing her hand to the left side of her 
bosom. 

< " Even so," replied Noma, " even so — 'tis the site of weal or woe. — 
And you, her father and her sister, think not this the idle speech of one 
who talks by guess — if I can tell the ill, it may be that I shall be able 
to render that less severe, which may not by any aid be wholly amended. 
— The heart — ay, the heart— touch that, and the eye grows dim, the 
pulse fails, the wholesome stream of our blood is choked and troubled, 
our limbs decay like sapless sea-weed in a summer's sun ; our better 
views of existence are past and gone ; what remains is the dream of lost 
happiness, or the fear of inevitable evil. But the Reimkennar must to 
her work — well it is that I have prepared the means." 

She threw off her long dark-coloured mantle, and stood before them 



218 THE PIRATE. 

in her short jacket of light-blue wadmaal, with its skirt of the same 
stuff, fancifully embroidered with black velvet, and bound at the waist 
with a chain or girdle of silver, formed into singular devices. Noma 
next undid the fillet which bound her grizzled hair, and shaking her 
head wildly, caused it to fall in dishevelled abundance over her face 
and around her shoulders, so as almost entirely to hide her features. 
She then placed a small crucible on the chafing-dish already mentioned, 
— dropped a few drops from a vial on the charcoal below, — pointed to- 
wards it her wrinkled forefinger, which she had previously moistened 
with liquid from another small bottle, and said with a deep voice, 
" Fire, do thy duty !" — and the words were no sooner spoken than, 
probably by some chemical combination of which the spectators were 
not aware, the charcoal which was under the crucible became slowly 
ignited ; while Noma, as if impatient of the delay, threw hastily back 
her disordered tresses, and, while her features reflected the sparkles 
and red light of the fire, and her eyes flashed from amongst her hair 
like those of a wild animal from its cover, blew fiercely till the whole 
was in an intense glow. She paused a moment from her toil, and mut- 
tering that the elemental spirit must be thanked, recited, iii her usual 
monotonous yet wild mode of chanting, the following verses : — 

" Thou so needful, yet so dread, 
With cloudy crest and wing of red ; 
Thou, without whose genial hreath 
The North would sleep the sleep of death ; 
Who deign'st to warm the cottage hearth, 
Yet hurl'st proud palaces to earth, — 
Brightest, keenest of the Powers 
Which form and rule this world of ours, 
With my rhyme of Runic, I 
Thank thee for thy agency." 

She then severed a portion from the small mass of sheet-lead which 
lay upon the table, and placing it in the crucible subjected it to the 
action of the lighted charcoal, and as it melted she sung, — 

" Old Reimkennar, to thy art 
Mother Hertha sends her part ; 
She, whose gracious hounty gives 
Needful food for all that lives. 
From the deep mine of the north 
Came the mystic metal forth, 
Doom'd amidst disjointed stones, 
Long to cere a champion's hones, 
Disinhumed my charms to aid — 
Mother Earth, my thanks are paid." 

She then poured out some water from the jar into a large cup or 
goblet, and sung once more, as she slowly stirred it round with the 
end of her staff, — 

" Girdle of our islands dear, 
Element of Water, hear! 
Thou whose power can overwhelm 
Broken mounds and ruin'd realm 

On the lowly Belgian strand ; 
All thy fiercest rage can never 
Of our soil a furlong sever 

From our rock-defended land : 
Play then gently thou thy part, 
To assist old Norna'a art" 



THE PIRATE. 219 

She then, with a pair of pincers, removed the crucible from the 
chafing-dish, and poured the lead, now entirely melted, into the bowl 
of water, repeating at the same tinie,- 



■' Element's, each other greeting, 
Gifts and powers attend your meeting !' 



The melted lead, spattering as it fell into the water, formed, of 
course, the usual combination of irregular forms which is familiar to 
all who in childhood have made the experiment, and from which, 
according to our childish fancy, we may have selected portions bearing 
some resemblance to domestic articles — the tools of mechanics, or the 
like. Noma seemed to busy herself in some such researches, for she 
examined the mass of lead with scrupulous attention, and detached it 
into different portions, without apparently being able to find a fragment 
in the form which she desired. 

At length she again muttered, rather as speaking to herself than to 
her guests, " He, the Viewless, will not be omitted, — he will have his 
tribute even in the work to which he gives nothing. — Stern compeller 
of the clouds, thou shalt also hear the voice of the Reimkennar." 

Thus speaking, Noma once more threw the lead into the crucible, 
where, hissing and spattering as the wet metal touched the sides of the 
red-hot vessel, it was soon again reduced into a state of fusion. The 
sibyl meantime turned to a comer of the apartment, and opening 
suddenly a window which looked to the north-west, let in the fitful 
radiance of the sun, now lying almost level upon a great mass of red 
clouds, which, boding future tempest, occupied the edge of the horizon, 
and seemed to brood over the billows of the boundless sea. Turning to 
this quarter, from which a low hollow moaning breeze then blew, Noma 
addressed the Spirit of the Winds in tones which seemed to resemble 
his own : — 

" Thou, that over billows dark 
Safely send'st the fisher's bark,— 
Giving him a path and motion 
Through the wilderness of ocean ; 
Thou, that when the billows brave ye, 
O'er the shelves canst drive the navy, — ■ 
Did'st thou chafe as one neglected, 
"While thy brethren were respected? 
To appease thee, see, I tear 
This full grasp of grizzled hair ; 
Oft thy breath hath through it sung, 
Softening to my magic tongue, — 
Now, 'tis thine to bid it fly 
Through the wide expanse of sky, 
'Mid the countless swarms to sail, 
Of wild-fowl wheeling on thy gale; 
Take thy portion and rejoice, — 
Spirit, thou hast heard my voice! " 

Noma accompanied these words with the action which they described, 
tearing a handful of hair with vehemence from her head, and strewing 
it upon the wind as she continued her recitation. She then shut the 
casement, and again involved the chamber in the dubious twilight, 
which best suited her character and occupation. The melted lead was 
once more emptied into the water, and the various whimsical confor- 



220 THE PIRATE. 

mations which it received from the operation were examined with great 
care by the sibyl, who at length seemed to intimate, by voice and 
gesture, that her spell had been successful. She selected from the fused 
metal a piece about the size of a small nut, bearing in shape a close 
resemblance to that of the human heart, and approaching Minna, 
again spoke in song, — 

" She who sits by haunted -well, 

Is subject to the Nixie's spell; 

She who walks on lonely beach, 

To the Mermaid's charmed speech; 
* She who walks round ring of green, 

Offends the peevish Fairy Queen ; 

And she who takes rest in the Dwarfie's cave, 

A weary weird of woe shall have. 

"By ring, by spring, by cave, by shore, 
Minna Troil has braved all this and more; 
And yet hath the root of her sorrow and ill 
A source that's more deep and more mystical stilL' 

Minna, whose attention had been latterly something disturbed by 
reflections on her own secret sorrow, now suddenly recalled it, and 
looked eagerly on Noma as if she expected to learn from her rhymes 
something of deep interest. The northern sibyl, meanwhile, proceeded 
to pierce the piece of lead which bore the form of a heart, and to fix 
in it a piece of gold wire, by which it might be attached to a chain or 
necklace. She then proceeded in her rhyme, — 

" Thou art within a demon's hold, 
More wise than Haims, more strong than Trolld ; 
No siren sings so sweet as he, — 
No fay springs lighter on the lea; 
No elfin power hath half the art. 
To soothe, to move, to wring the heart, — 
Life-blood from the cheek to drain, 
Drench the eye, and dry the vein. 
Maiden, ere we farther go, 
Dost thou note me, ay, or no?" 

Minna replied in the same rhythmical manner, which, in jest and 
earnest, was frequently used by the ancient Scandinavians, — 

"I mark thee, my mother, both word, look, and sign; 
Speak on with the riddle — to read it be mine." 

"Now, Heaven and every saint be praised!" said Magnus; "they 
are the first words to the purpose which she hath spoken these many 
days." 

" And they are the last which she shall speak for many a month," 
said Noma, incensed at the interruption, " if you again break the pro- 
gress of my spell. Turn your faces to the wall, and look not hither- 
ward again, under penalty of my severe displeasure. You, Magnus 
Troil, from hard-hearted audacity of spirit, and you, Brenda, from 
wanton and idle disbelief in that which is beyond your bounded com- 
prehension, are unworthy to look on this mystic work ; and the glance 
of your eyes mingles with and weakens the spell ; for the powers cannot 
brook distrust." 

Unaccustomed to be addressed in a tone so peremptory, Magnus 
would have made some angry reply ; but reflecting that the health 



THE PIRATE. 221 

of Minna was at stake, and considering that she who spoke was a 
woman of many sorrows, he suppressed his anger, bowed his head, 
shrugged his shoulders, assumed the prescribed posture, averting his 
head from the table, and turning towards the wall. Brenda did the 
same, on receiving a sign from her father, and both remained profoundly 
silent. 
Noma then addressed Minna once more, — 

" Mark me ! for the word I speak 
Shall hring the colour to thy cheek. 
This leaden heart, so light of cost, 
The symbol of a treasure lost, 
Thou shalt wear in hope and in peace, 
That the cause of your sickness and sorrow may cease, 
"When crimson foot meets crimson hand 
In the Martyr's Aisle, and in Orkney-land.' 

Minna coloured deeply at the last couplet, intimating, as she failed 
not to interpret it, that Noma was completely acquainted with the se- 
cret cause of her sorrow. The same conviction led the maiden to hope 
in the favourable issue, which the sibyl seemed to prophesy ; and not 
venturing to express her feelings in any manner more intelligible, she 

Eressed Noma's withered hand with all the warmth of affection, first to 
er breast and then to her bosom, bedewing it at the same time with 
her tears. 

With more of human feeling than she usually exhibited, Noma ex- 
tricated her hand from the grasp of the poor girl, whose tears now 
flowed freely, and then, with more tenderness of manner than she had 
yet shown, she knotted the leaden heart to a chain of gold, and hung 
it around Minna's neck, singing, as she performed that last branch of 
the spell, — 

"Be patient, be patient, for Patience hath power. 
To ward us in danger, like mantle in shower; 
A fairy gift you best may hold 
In a chain of fairy gold; 
The chain and the gift are each a true token, 
That not without warrant old Noma hath spoken ; 
But thy nearest and dearest must never behold them, 
Till time shall accomplish the truths I have told them." 

The verses being concluded, Noma carefully arranged the chain 
around her patient's neck so as to hide it in her bosom, and thus ended 
the spell — a spell which, at the moment I record these incidents, it is 
known, has been lately practised in Zetland, where any decline of 
health, without apparent cause, is imputed by the lower orders to a 
demon having stolen the heart from the body of the patient, and where 
the experiment of supplying the deprivation by a leaden one, prepared 
in the manner described, has been resorted to within these few years. 
In a metaphorical sense, the disease may be considered as a general 
one in all parts of the world ; but, as this simple and original remedy 
is peculiar to the isles of Thule, it were unpardonable not to preserve it 
at length, in a narrative connected with Scottish antiquities. 1 

i The spells described in this chapter are not altogether imaginary. By this 
mode of pouring lead into water, and selecting the part which chances to assume 
a resemblance to the human heart, which must be worn by the patient around 
her or his neck, the sage persons of Zetland pretend to cure the fatal disorder 
called the loss pf a he^rt. 



222 THE PIRATE. 

A second time Noma reminded her patient, that if she showed, or 
spoke of, the fairy gifts, their virtue would be lost — a belief so common 
as to be received into the superstitions of all nations. Lastly, unbut- 
toning the collar which she had just fastened, she showed her a link of 
the gold chain, which Minna instantly recognised as that formerly given 
by Noma to Mordaunt Mertoun. Tins seemed to intimate he was yet 
alive, and under Noma's protection ; and she gazed on her with the 
most eager curiosity. But the sibyl imposed her finger on her lips in 
token of silence, and a second time involved the chain in those folds 
which modestly and closely veiled one of the most beautiful, as well as 
one of the kindest, bosoms in the world. 

Noma then extinguished the lighted charcoal, and as the water hissed 
upon the glowing embers, commanded Magnus and Brenda to look 
around, and behold her task accomplished. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

See yonder ■woman, whom our swains revere, 

And dread in secret, while they take her counsel 

When sweetheart shall be kind, or when cross dame shall die; 

Where lurks the thief who stole the silver tankard, 

And how the pestilent murrain may he cured.— 

The sageadviser's mad, stark mad, my friend ; 

Yet, in her madness, hath the art and cunning 

To wring fools' secrets from their inmost bosoms, 

And pay inquirers with the coin they gave her. 

Old Play. 






It seemed as if Noma had indeed full right to claim the gratitude of 
the Udaller for the improved condition of his daughter's health. She 
once more threw open the window, and Minna, drying her eyes and 
advancing with affectionate confidence, threw herself on her father's 
neck, and asked his forgiveness for the trouble she had of late occasioned 
to him. It is unnecessary to add that this was at once granted, with a 
full, though rough burst of paternal tenderness, and as many close em- 
braces as if his child had been just rescued from the jaws of death. 
When Magnus had dismissed Minna from his arms, to throw herself 
into those of her sister, and express to her, rather by kisses and tears 
than in words, the regret she entertained for her late wayward conduct, 
the Udaller thought proper, in the meantime, to pay liis thanks to their 
hostess whose skill had proved so efficacious. But scarce had he come 
out with, " Much respected kinswoman, I am but a plain old Norse- 
man," — when she interrupted him by pressing her finger on her lips. 

" There are those around us," she said, " who must hear no mortal 
voice, witness no sacrifice to mortal feelings — there are times when they 
mutiny even against me, their sovereign mistress, because I am still 
shrouded in the flesh of humanity. Fear, therefore, and be silent. I, 
whose deeds have raised me from the low-sheltered valley of life, 
where dwell its social want? and common charities — I, who have bereft 
the Giver of the Gilt which he gave, and stand alone on a cliff of im- 
measurable height detached from earth, save from the small portion 
that supports my miserable tread — I alone am fit to cope with these 



THE PIKATE. 223 

sullen mates. Fear not, therefore, but yet be not too bold, and let 
this night to you be one of fasting and of prayer." 

If the Udaller had not, before the commencement of the operation, 
been disposed to dispute the commands of the sibyl, it may be well be- 
lieved he was less so now, that it had terminated to all appearance so 
fortunately. So he sat down in silence, and seized upon a volume 
which lay near him as a sort of desperate effort to divert ennui, for on 
no other occasion had Magnus been known to have recourse to a book 
for that purpose. It chanced to be a book much to his mind, being the 
well-known work of Olaus Magnus upon the manners of the ancient 
Northern nations. The book is unluckily in the Latin language, and 
the Danske or Dutch were, either of them, much more familiar to the 
Udaller. But then it was the fine edition published in 1555, which 
contains representations of the war-chariots, fishing exploits, warlike 
exercises, and domestic employments of the Scandinavians executed in 
copperplates ; and thus the information which the work refused to the 
understanding was addressed to the eye, which, as is well known both 
to old and young, answers the purpose of amusement as well, if not 
better. 

Meanwhile the two sisters, pressed as close to each other as two 
flowers on the same stalk, sat with their arms reciprocally passed over 
each other's shoulder, as if they feared some new and unforeseen cause 
of coldness was about to separate them, and interrupt the sister-like 
harmony which had been but just restored. Noma sat opposite to 
them, sometimes revolving the large parchment volume with which 
they nad found her employed at their entrance, and sometimes gazing 
on the sisters with a fixed look, in which an interest of a kind unusually 
tender seemed occasionally to disturb the stern and rigorous solemnity 
of her countenance. All was still and silent as death, and the subsiding 
emotions of Brenda had not yet permitted her to wonder whether the 
remaining hours of the evening were to be passed in the same manner, 
when the scene of tranquillity was suddenly interrupted by the entrance 
of the dwarf Pacolet, or, as the Udaller called him, Nicholas Strumpfer. 
. Noma darted an angry glance on the intruder, who seemed to de- 
precate her resentment by holding up his hands and uttering a babbling 
sound ; then instantly resorting to his usual mode of conversation, he 
expressed himself by a variety of signs made rapidly upon his fingers, 
and as rapidly answered by his mistress, so that the young women, who 
had never heard of such an art, and now saw it practised by two beings 
so singular, almost conceived their mutual intelligence the work of en- 
chantment. When they had ceased their intercourse, Noma turned to 
Magnus Troil with much haughtiness, and said, " How, my kinsman ! 
have you so far forgot yourself as to bring earthly food into the house 
of the Reimkennar, and make preparations in tne dwelling of Power 
and of Despair for refection, and wassail, and revelry 1 — Speak not — 
answer not," she said ; " the duration of the cure which was wrought 
even now depends on your silence and obedience— bandy but a single 
look or word with me, and the latter condition of that maiden shall be 
worse than the first !" 

This threat was an effectual charm upon the tongue of the Udaller, 
though he longed to indulge it in vindication of his conduct. 



224 THE PIRATE. 

- " Follow me, all of you," said Noma, striding to the door of thf 
apartment, " and see that no one looks backwards — we leave not tin. 
apartment empty, though we, the children of mortality, be remover 
from it." 

She went out, and the Udaller signed to his daughters to follow ano 
to obey her injunctions. The sibyl moved swifter than her guest 
down the rude descent (such it might rather be termed than a prope 
staircase) which led to the lower apartment. Magnus and his daughters 
when they entered the chamber, found their own attendants aghast a 
the presence and proceedings of Noma of the Fitful-head. 

They had been previously employed in arranging the provisions whicl 
they had brought along with them, so as to present a comfortable cole 
meal as soon as the appetite of the Udaller, which was as regular as th< 
return of tide, should induce him to desire some refreshment ; and nov 
they stood staring in fear and surprise, while Noma, seizing upon on< 
article after another, and well supported by the zealous activity of Pa 
colet, flung their whole preparations out of the rude aperture whicl 
served for a window, and over the cliff, from which the ancient Burg] 
arose, into the ocean, which raged and foamed beneath. Vifda (drie< 
beef), hams, and pickled perk flew after each other into empty space 
smoked geese were restored to the air, and cured fish to the sea, thei 
native elements, indeed, but which they were no longer capable of tea 
versing; and the devastation proceeded so rapidly that the Udalle 
could scarce secure from the wreck his silver drinking-cup ; while th 
large leathern flask of brandy, which was destined to supply his favourit 
beverage, was sent to follow the rest of the supper by the hands of Pa 
colet, who regarded at the same time the disappointed Udaller with 
malicious grin, as if, notwithstanding his own natural taste for th 
liquor, he enjoyed the disappointment and surprise of Magnus Tro 
still more than he would have relished sharing his enjoyment. 

The destruction of the brandy-flask exhausted the patience of Magnut l 
wfio roared out in a tone of no small displeasure, " Why, kinswomai 
this is wasteful madness — where, and on what, would you have i- 
supi" 

"Where you will," answered Noma, "and on what you will— bi , 
not in my dwelling, and not on the food with which you nave profane i 
it. Vex my spirit no more, but begone every one of you ! You ha\ v 
been here too long for my good, perhaps for your own." 

" How, kinswoman," said Magnus, "would you make outcasts of t 
at this time of night, when even a Scotchman would not turn a Strang 
from the door ?— Bethink you, dame, it is shame on our lineage for er 
if this squall of yours should force us to slip cables, and go to sea 
scantily provided." 

"Be silent, and depart," said Noma; "let it suffice you have g 
that for which you came. I have no harbourage for mortal guests, I 
provision to relieve human wants. There is beneath the cliff a bea 
of the finest sand, a stream of water as pure as the well of Kildingir 
and the rocks bear dulse as wholesome as that of Guiodin ; and w> 
you wot, that the well of Kildinguie and the dulse of Guiodin will cu 
all maladies save Black Death.' ' 

* So at least says an Orkney proverb. 



THE PIRATE. 225 

" And well I wot," said the Udaller, " that I would eat corrupted 
sea- weed like a starling, or salted seal's flesh like the men of Burra- 
forth, or wilks, buekies, and lampits, like the poor sneaks of Stroma, 
rather than break wheat bread and drink red wine in a house where it 
is begrudged me. — And yet," he said, checking himself, " I am wrong, 
very wrong, my cousin, to speak thus to you, and I should rather thank 
you for what you have done than upbraid you for following your own 
ways. But I see you are impatient — we will be all under way pre- 
sently. — And you, ye knaves, addressing his servants, "that were in 
such hurry with your service before it was lacked, get out of doors with 
you presently, and manage to catch the ponies ; for I see we must make 
lor another harbour to-night, if we would not sleep with an empty 
stomach, and on a hard bed." 

The domestics of Magnus, already^ufficiently alarmed at the violence 
of Noma's conduct, scarce waited the imperious command of their 
master to evacuate her dwelling with all despatch ; and the Udaller, 
with a daughter on each arm, was in the act of following them, when 
Noma said emphatically, " Stop !" They obeyed, and again turned 
towards her. She held out her hand to Magnus, which the placable 
Udaller instantly folded in his own ample palm. 

"Magnus," she said, " we part by necessity, but, I trust, not in anger ?" 

"Surely not, cousin," said the warm-hearted Udaller, well-nigh 
stammering in his hasty disclamation of all unkindness, — " most as- 
suredly not. I never bear ill-will to any one, much less to one of my 
own blood, and who has piloted me with her advice through many a 
rough tide, as I would pilot a boat betwixt Swona and Stroma, through 
all the waws, wells, and swelchies of the Pentland Firth." 

" Enough," said Noma ; "and now farewell, with such a blessing as I 
dare bestow — not a word more ! Maidens," she added, " draw near, 
and let me kiss your brows." 

The sibyl was obeyed by Minna with awe, and by Brenda with fear ; 
the one overmastered by the warmth of her imagination, the other by 
the natural timidity of her constitution. Noma then dismissed them, 
and in two minutes afterwards they found themselves beyond the 
bridge, and standing upon the rocky platform in front of the ancient 
Pictish Burgh, which it was the pleasure of this sequestered female to 
inhabit. The night, for it was now fallen, was unusually serene. A 
bright twilight, which glimmered far over the surface of the sea, sup- 
plied the brief absence of the summer's sun ; and the waves seemed to 
sleep under its influence, so faint and slumberous was the sound with 
which one after another rolled on and burst against the foot of the cliff 
on which they stood. In front of them stood the rugged fortress, seem- 
ing, in the uniform grayness of the atmosphere, as aged, as shapeless, 
and as massive as the rock on which it was founded. There was neither 
sight nor sound that indicated human habitation, save that from one 
rude shot-hole glimmered the flame of the feeble lamp by which the 
sibyl was probably pursuing her mystical and nocturnal studies, shoot- 
ing upon the twilight, in which it was soon lost and confounded, a 
single line of tiny light ; bearing the same proportion to that of the 
atmosphere as the aged woman and her serf, the sole inhabitants of 
that desert, did to the solitude with which they were surrounded. 

p 



226 THE PIRATE. 

For several minutes the party, thus suddenly and unexpectedly ex- 
pelled from the shelter where they had reckoned upon spending the 
night, stood in silence, each wrapt in their own separate reflections. 
Minna, 'her thoughts fixed on the mystical consolation which she had 
received, in vain endeavoured to extract from the words of Noma a more 
distinct and intelligible meaning; and the Udaller had not yet re- 
covered his surprise at the extrusion to which he had been thus whim- 
sically subjected, under circumstances that prohibited him from resent- 
ing as an insult, treatment, which, in all other respects, was so shocking 
to the genial hospitality of his nature, that he still felt like one disposed 
to be angry, if he but knew how to set about it. Brenda was the first 
who brought matters to a point, by asking whither they were to go, and 
how they were to spend the night ? The question, which was asked in 
a tone that, amidst its simplicity, had something dolorous in it, entirely 
changed the train of her father's ideas ; and the unexpected perplexity 
of their situation now striking him in a comic point of view, he laughed 
till his very eyes ran over, while every rock around him rung, and the 
sleeping sea-fowl were startled from their repose by the loud, hearty 
explosions of his obstreperous hilarity. 

The Udaller's daughters, eagerly representing to their father the risk 
of displeasing Noma by this unlimited indulgence of his mirth, united 
their efforts to drag him to a farther distance from her dwelling. 
Magnus, yielding to their strength, which, feeble as it was, his own fit 
of laughter rendered him incapable of resisting, suffered himself to be 
pulled to a considerable distance from the Burgh, and then escaping 
from their hands, and sitting down, or rather suffering himself to drop, 
upon a large stone which lay conveniently by the wayside, he again 
laughed so long and lustily, that his vexed and anxious daughters be- 
came afraid that there was something more than natural in these re- 
peated convulsions. 

At length Ms mirth exhausted both itself and the Udaller's strength. 
He groaned heavily, wiped his eyes, and said, not without feeling some 
desire to renew his obstreperous cachinnation, " Now, by the bones of 
St Magnus, my ancestor and namesake, one would imagine that being 
turned out of doors, at this time of night, was nothing short of an 
absolutely exquisite jest; for I have shaken my sides at it till they 
ached. There we sat, made snug for the night, and I made as sure of 
a good supper and a can as ever I had been of either,— and here we 
are all taken aback ; and then poor Brenda's doleful voice, and me- 
lancholy question of ' What is to be done, and where are we to sleep V 
In good faith, unless one of those knaves, who must needs torment 
the poor woman by their trencher-work before it was wanted, can 
make amends by telling us of some snug port under our lee, we 
have no other course for it but to steer through the twilight on the 
bearing of Burgh-Westra, and rough it out as well as we can by 
the way. I am sorry but for you, girls ; for many a cruise have I been 
upon when we were on shorter allowance than we are like to have now. — 
I would I had but seemed a morsel for you, and a drop for myself; and 
then there had been but little to complain of." 

Both sisters hastened to assure the Udaller that they felt not the least 
occasion for food. 



THE PIEATE. 227 

" Why, that is well," said Magnus : " and so being the case, I will not 
complain of my own appetite, though it is sharper than convement. And 
the rascal, Nicholas Strumpfer, — what a leer the villain gave me as he 
started the good Nantz into the salt-water ! He grinned, the knave, 
like a seal on a skerry. — Had it not been for vexing my poor kinswoman 
Noma, I would have sent his misbegotten body, and misshapen jolter- 
head, after my bonny flask, as sure as Saint Magnus lies at Kirk- 
wall ! " 

By this time the servants returned with the ponies, which they had 
very soon caught — these sensible animals finding nothing so captivating 
in the pastures where they had been suffered to stray, as inclined them 
to resist the invitation again to subject themselves to saddle and bridle. 
The prospects of the party were also considerably improved by learning 
that the contents of their sumpter-ponies' burden had not been en- 
tirely exhausted, — a small basket having fortunately escaped the rage 
of Noma and Pacolet, by the rapidity with which one of the servants 
had caught up and removed it. The same domestic, an alert and ready- 
witted fellow, had observed upon the beach, not above three miles dis- 
tant from the Burgh, and about a quarter of a mile off their straight 
path, a deserted Skio, or fisherman' shut, and suggested that they should 
occupy it for the rest of the night, in order that the ponies might be re- 
freshed, and the young ladies spend the night under cover from the raw 
evening air. 

When we are delivered from great and serious dangers, our mood is, 
or ought to be, grave, in proportion to the peril we have escaped, and 
the gratitude due to protecting Providence. But few things raise the 
spirits more naturally, or more harmlessly, than when means of extrica- 
tion from any of the lesser embarrassments of life are suddenly presented 
to us ; and such was the case in the present instance. The Udaller, 
relieved from the apprehensions for his daughters suffering from fatigue, 
and himself from too much appetite and too little food, carolled Norse 
ditties, as he spurred Bergen through the twilight, with as much glee 
and gallantry as if the night-ride had been entirely a matter of his 
own free choice. Brenda lent her voice to some of his choruses, 
which were echoed in ruder notes by the servants, who, in that simple 
state of society, were not considered as guilty of any breach of re- 
spect by mingling their voices with the song. Minna, indeed, was 
as yet unequal to such an effort ; but she compelled herself to assume 
some share in the general hilarity of the meeting ; and, contrary to her 
conduct since the fatal morning which concluded the Festival of Saint 
John, she seemed to take her usual interest in what was going on around 
her, and answered with kindness and readiness the repeated inquiries con- 
cerning her health, with which the Udaller every now and then inter- 
rupted his carol. And thus they proceeded by night, a happier party 
by far than they had been when they traced the same route on the pre- 
ceding morning, making light of the difficulties of the way, and pro- 
mising themselves shelter and a comfortable night's rest in the de- 
serted hut which they were now about to approach, and which they 
expected to find in a state of darkness and solitude. 

But it was the lot of the Udaller that day to be deceived more than 
once in his calculations. 



228 THE PIRATE. 

* " And which way lies this cabin of yours, Laurie ?" said the Udaller, 
addressing the intelligent domestic of whom we just spoke. 

" Yonder it should be," said Laurence Scholey, " at the head of the 
voe — but, by my faith, if it be the place, there are folk there before us 
— God and Saint Ronan send that they may be canny company !" 
- In truth there was a light in the deserted hut, strong enough to 
glimmer through every chink of the shingles and wreck-wood of which 
it was constructed,, and to give the whole cabin the appearance of a 
smithy seen by night. The universal superstition of the Zetlanders 
seized upon Magnus and his escort. 

" They are trows," said one voice. 

" They are -witches," murmured another. 

"They are mermaids," muttered a third; "only hear their wild 
singing ! 

All stopped ; and, in effect, some notes of music were audible, which 
Brenda, with a voice that quivered a little, but yet had a turn of arch 
ridicule in its tone, pronounced to be the sound of a fiddle. 

" Fiddle or fiend," said the Udaller, who, if he believed in such 
nightly apparitions as had struck terror into his retinue, certainly feared 
them not — " fiddle or fiend, may the devil fetch me if a witch cheats 
me out of supper to-night, for the second time !" 

So. saying he dismounted, clenched his trusty truncheon in his hand, 
and advanced towards the hut, followed by Laurence alone ; the rest of 
his retinue continuing stationary on the beach, beside his daughters 
and his ponies. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

What ho, my jovial mates! come on! we'll frolic it 
Like fairies frisking in the merry moonshine, 
Seen by the curtal friar, who, from some christening 
Or some blithe bridal, hies belated cell-ward — 
He starts, and changes his bold bottle swagger 
To churchman's pace professional, and, ransacking 
His treacherous memory for some holy hymn, 
Finds but the roundel of the midnight catch. 

Old Play. 

The stride of the Udaller relaxed nothing of its length or of its firm- 
ness as he approached the glimmering cabin, from which he now heard 
distinctly the sound of the fiddle. But, if still long and firm, his steps 
succeeded each other rather more slowly than usual ; for, like a cautious, 
though a brave general, Magnus was willing to reconnoitre his enemy 
before assailing him. The trusty Laurence Scholey, who kept close 
behind his master, now whispered into his ear, " So help me, sir, as I 
believe that the ghaist, if gliaist it be, that plays so bravely on the 
fiddle, must be the ghaist of Maister Claud Halcro, or his wraith at 
least ; for never was bow drawn across thairm which brought out the 
gude auld spring of l Fair and Lucky,' so like his ain." 

Magnus was himself much of the same opinion ; for he knew the 
blithe minstrelsy of the spirited little old man, and hailed the hut with a 



THE PIRATE. 229 

hearty hilloah, which was immediately replied to by the cheery note of 
his ancient messmate, and Halcro himself presently made his appear- 
ance on the beach. 

The Udaller now signed to his retinue to come up, while he asked 
his friend, after a kind greeting and much shaking of hands, "How the 
devil he came to sit there, playing old tunes in so desolate a place, like 
an owl whooping to the moon 1" 

" And tell me rather, Fowd," said Claud Halcro, " how you came 
to be within hearing of me ? ay, by my word, and with your bonny 
daughters, too ? Jarto Minna and Jarto Brenda, I bid you welcome 
to these yellow sands — and there, shake hands, as glorious John, or 
some other body, says upon the same occasion! And how came you 
here like two fair swans, making day out of twilight, and turning all 
you step upon to silver ?" 

"You shall know all about them presently," answered Magnus; 
" but what messmates have you got in the hut with you l I think I 
hear some one speaking." 

" None," replied Claud Halcro, " but that poor creature the Factor, 
and my imp of a boy Giles. I — but come in — come in — here you wiD 
find us starving in comfort — not so much as a mouthful of sour sillocks 
to be had for love or money." 

" That may be in a small part helped," said, the Udaller ; " for 
though the best of our supper is gone over the Fitful Crags to the seal- 
chies and the dog-fish, yet we have got something in the kit still. Here, 
Laurie, bring up the vifda." 

" Jokul,jokul. rn was Laurence's joyful answer; and he hastened 
for the basket. 

• " By the bicker of Saint Magnus " 2 said Halcro, " and the burliest 
bishop that ever quaffed it for luck's sake, there is no finding your 
locker empty, Magnus ! I believe sincerely that ere a friend wanted, 
you could, like old Luggie the warlock, fish up boiled and roasted out 
of the pool of Kibster." 3 

"You are wrong there, Jarto Claud," said Magnus Troil, " for, far 
from helping me to a supper, the foul fiend, I believe, has carried off 
great part of mine this blessed evening ; but you are welcome to share 
and share of what is left." This was said while the party entered the 
hut. 

Here, in a cabin which smelled strongly of dried fish, and whose sides 
and roof were jet-black with smoke, they found the unhappy Triptole- 
mus Yellowley seated beside a fire made of dried sea-weed, mingled 
with some peats and wreck- wood ; his sole companion a bare-footed, 
yellow-haired Zetland boy, who acted occasionally as a kind of page to 
Claud Halcro, bearing his fiddle on his shoulders, saddling his pony, 
and rendering him similar duties of kindly observance. The disconsolate 
agriculturist, for such his visage betokened him, displayed little surprise, 
and less animation, at the arrival of the Udaller and his companions, 

1 Jokul, yes, sir ; a Norse expression, still in common use. 

2 The Bicker of Saint Magnus, a vessel of enormous dimensions, was preserved at 
Kirkwall, and presented to each Bishop of the Orkneys. If the new incumbent was 
ahle to quaff it out at one draught, which was a task for Hercules or Rorie Mhor of 
Dunvegan, the omen boded a crop of unusual fertility. 

3 See Note X. Luggie. 



230 THE PIRATE. 

until after the party had drawn close to the fire (a neighbourhood which 
the dampness of the night air rendered far from disagreeable), the pan- 
nier was opened, and a tolerable supply of barley-bread and hung-beef, 
besides -a flask of brandy (no doubt smaller than that which the relent- 
less hand of Pacolet had emptied into the ocean) gave assurances of a 
tolerable supper. Then, indeed, the worthy factor grinned, chuckled, 
rubbed his hands, and inquired after all friends at Burgh-Westra. 

When they had all partaken of this needful refreshment, the Udaller 
repeated his inquiries of Halcro, and more particularly of the Factor, 
how they came to be nestled in such a remote corner at such an hour 
of night. 

" Maister Magnus Troil," said Triptolemus, when a second cup had 
given him spirits to tell his tale of woe, " I would not have you think 
that it is a little thing that disturbs me. 1 come of that grain that 
takes a sair wind to shake it. I have seen many a Martinmas and many 
a Whitsunday in my day, whilk are the times peculiarly grievous to 
those of my craft, and I could aye bide the bang ; but I think I am 
like to be dung ower a'thegither in this damned country of yours— 
Gude forgie me for swearing — but evil communication corrupteth good 
manners." 

"Now Heaven guide us," said the Udaller, "what is the matter 
with the man ? Why, man, if you will put your plough into new land, 
you must look to have it hank on a stone now and then. You must 
set us an example of patience, seeing you come here for our improve- 
ment." 

" And the deil was in my feet when I did so," said the factor ; " I 
had better have set myself to improve the cairn on Clochnaben." 

"But what is it, after all," said the Udaller, "that has befallen 
you 1 — what is it that you complain of ?" 

" Of everything that has chanced to me since I landed on this island, 
which I believe was accursed at the very creation," said the agricul- 
turist, " and assigned as a fitting station for sorners, thieves, whores 
(I beg the ladies' pardon), witches, bitches, and all evil spirits !" 

" By my faith, a goodly catalogue !" said Magnus ; " "and there has 
been the day that if I had heard you give out the half of it, I should 
have turned improver myself, and have tried to amend your manners 
with a cudgel." 

"Bear with me," said the Factor, "Maister Fowd, or Maister 
Udaller, or whatever else they may call you, and as you are strong, 
be pitiful, and consider the luckless lot of any inexperienced person 
who lights upon this earthly paradise of yours. He asks for drink, 
they bring him sour whey — no disparagement to your brandy, Fowd, 
which is excellent. You ask for meat, and they bring you sour sillocks 
that Satan might choke upon. You call your labourers together, and 
bid them work ; it proves Saint Magnus's day, or Saint lionan's day, 
or some infernal saint or other's — or else, perhaps, they have come out 
of bed with the wrong foot foremost, or they have seen an owl, or a rab- 
bit has crossed their path, or they have dreamed of a roasted horse— in 
short, nothing is to be done. Give them a spade, and they work as if it 
burned their fingers ; but set them to dancing, and see when they will 
tire of funking and flinging !" 



THE PIRATE. 231 

"And why should they, poor bodies," said Claud Halcro, "as long 
there are good fiddlers to play to them 1" 

"Ay, ay," said Triptolemus, shaking his head, "you are a proper per- 
son to uphold them in such a humour. Well, to proceed : — I till a piece 
of my best groimd ; down comes a sturdy beggar that wants a kailyard, 
or plant-a-cruive, as you call it, and he claps down an enclosure in the 
middle of my bit shot of corn, as lightly as if he was baith laird and 
tenant ; and gainsay him wha likes, there he dibbles in his kail-plants ? 
I sit down to my sorrowful dinner, thinking to have peace and quiet- 
ness there at least ; when in comes one, two, three, four, or half-a- 
dozen of skelping long lads, from some foolery or anither, misca' me for 
barring my ain door against them, and eat up the best half of what my 
sister's providence — and she is not over-bountiful — has allotted for my 
dinner ! Then enters a witch, with an ellwand in her hand, and she 
raises the wind or lays it, whichever she likes, majors up and down my 
house as if she was mistress of it, and I am bounden to thank Heaven 
if she carries not the broadside of it away with her !" 

" Still," said the Fowd, "this is no answer to my question — how the 
foul fiend I come to find you at moorings here ?" 

"Have patience, worthy sir," replied the afflicted Factor, "and 
listen to what I have to say, for I fancy it will be as well to tell you the 
whole matter. You must know, I once thought that I had gotten a 
small godsend, that might have made all these matters easier." 

" How ! a godsend ! Do you mean a wreck. Master Factor ?" ex- 
claimed Magnus ; " shame upon you, that should have set example to 
others !" 

" It was no wreck," said the Factor ; " but if you must needs know, 
it chanced that as I raised an hearthstane in one of the old chambers 
at Stourburgh (for my sister is minded that there is little use in mair 
fire-places about a house than one, and I wanted the stane to knock 
bear upon), when, what should I light on but a horn full of old coins, 
silver the maist feck of them, but wi' a bit sprinkling of gold among 
them too. 1 Weel, I thought this was a dainty windfa', and so thought 
Baby, and we were the mair willing to put up with a place where there 
were siccan braw nest-eggs — and we slade down the stane cannily over 
the horn, which seemed to me to be the very cornucopia or horn of 
abundance ; and for farther security, Baby wad visit the room maybe 
twenty times in the dav, and mysell at an orra time to the boot of a* 
that." ..." ■ 

"On my word, and a very pretty amusement," said Claud Halcro, 
" to look over a horn of one's own siller. I question if glorious John 
Dryden ever enjoyed such a pastime in his life — I am very sure I never 
did." 

" Yes, but you forget, Jarto Claud," said the Udaller, " that the 
Factor was only counting over the money for my Lord the Chamber- 
lain. As he is so keen for his Lordship's rights in whales and wrecks, 
he would not surely forget him in treasure-trove." 

"A-hem! a-hem! a-he— he— hem !" ejaculated Triptolemus, seized 
at the moment with an awkward fit of coughing, — " no doubt my Lord's 
right in the matter would have been considered, being in the hand of 

1 See Note Y. Antique Coins found in Zetland. 



232 THE PIRATE. 

one, though I say it, as just as can be found in Angusshire, let alone 
the Mearns. But mark what happened of late ! One day, as I went 
up to see that all was safe and snug, and just to count out the share 
that should have been his Lordship's— for surely the labourer, as one 
may call the finder, is worthy of his hire — nay, some learned men say, 
that when the finder, in point of trust and in point of power, repre- 
senteth the dominus or lord superior, he taketh the whole ; but let 
that pass, as a kittle question in apicibus juris, as we wont to say 
at Saint Andrews — Well, sir and ladies, when I went to the upper 
chamber, what should I see but an ugsome, ill-shaped, and most un- 
couth dwarf, that wanted but hoofs and horns to have made an utter 
devil of him, counting over the very hornful of siller ! I am no timor- 
ous man, Master Fowd, but judging that I should proceed with 
caution in such a matter— for I had reason to believe that there was 
devilry in it — I accosted him in Latin (whilk it is maist becoming to 
speak to aught whilk taketh upon it as a goblin), and conjured him in 
nomine, and so forth, with such words as my poor learning could fur- 
nish of a suddenty, whilk, to say truth, were not so many nor altogether 
so purely latineezed as might have been, had I not been few years at 
college and many at the pleugh. Well, sirs, he started at first, as one 
thatheareth that which he expects not ; but presently recovering him- 
self, he wawls on me with his gray een like a wild-cat, and opens his 
mouth, whilk resembled the mouth of an oven, for the deil a tongue he 
had in it that I could spy, and took upon his ugly self altogether the 
air and bearing of a bull-dog, whilk I have seen loosed at a fair upon 
a mad staig -, 1 whereupon I was something daunted, and withdrew my- 
self to call upon sister Baby, who fears neither dog nor devil when there 
is in question the little penny siller. And truly she raise to the fray 
as I hae seen the Lindsays and Ogilvies bristle up when Donald Mac- 
Donnoch, or the like, made a start down frae the Highlands on the 
braes of Islay. But an auld useless carline, called Tronda Drons- 
daughter (they might call her Drone the sell of her, without farther 
addition), flung herself right in my sister's gate, and yelloched and 
skirled, that you would have thought her a whole generation of hounds; 
whereupon I judged it best to make ae yoking of it, and stop the pleugh 
until I got my sister's assistance. Whilk when I had done, and we 
mounted the stair to the apartment in which the said dwarf, devil, or 
other apparition was to be seen, dwarf, horn, and siller were as clean 
gane as if the cat had lickit the place where I saw them." 

Here Triptolemus paused in his extraordinary narration, while the 
rest of the party looked upon each other in surprise, and the Udaller 
muttered to Claud Halcro — " By all tokens, this must have been either 
the devil or Nicholas Strumpfer ; and, if it were him, he is more of a 
goblin than e'er I gave him credit for, and shall be apt to rate him as 
such in future." Then addressing the Factor, he inquired — " Saw ye 
nought how this dwarf of yours parted company V' 

" As I shall answer it, no," replied Triptolemus, with a cautious look 
around him, as if daunted by the recollection; " neither I nor Baby, 
who had her wits more about her, not having seen this unseemly vision, 
could perceive any way by whilk he made evasion. Only Tronda said 

1 Young unbroken horse. 



THE PIRATE. 



she saw liim flee forth of the window, of the west roundel of the auld 
house upon a dragon, as she averred. But, as the dragon is held a 
fabulous animal, I suld pronounce her averment to rest upon deceptio 



" But may we not ask farther," said Brenda, stimulated by curiosity 
to know as much of her cousin Noma's family as was possible, " how 
all this operated upon Master Yellowley, so as to occasion his being in 
this place at so unseasonable an hour?" 

" Seasonable it must be, Mistress Brenda, since it brought us into 
your sweet company," answered Claud Halcro, whose mercurial brain 
far outstripped the slow conceptions of the agriculturist,, and who became 
impatient of being so long silent. " To say the truth, it was I, Mistress 
Brenda, who recommended to our friend the Factor, whose house I 
chanced to call at just after this mischance (and where, by the way, 
owing doubtless to the hurry of their spirits, I was but poorly received), 
to make a visit to our other friend at Fitful-head, well judging from 
certain points of the story, at which my other and more particular 
friend than either (looking at Magnus) may chance to form a guess, 
that they who break a head are the best to find a plaster. And as our 
friend the Factor scrupled travelling on horseback, — in respect of some 
tumbles from our ponies " 

" Which are incarnate devils," said Triptolemus, aloud, muttering 
under his breath, "like every live thing that I have found in Zet- 
land." 

" Well, Fowd," continued Halcro, " I undertook to carry him to 
Fitful-head in my little boat, Avhich Giles and I can manage as if it 
were an Admiral's barge full manned ; and Master Triptolemus Yel- 
lowley will tell you how seaman-like I piloted him to the little haven 
within a quarter of a mile of Noma's dwelling." 

" I wish to Heaven you had brought me as safe back again," said 
the Factor. 

" Why to be sure," replied the minstrel, " I am, as glorious John 
says,— 

' A daring pilot in extremity, 
Pleased with the danger -when the waves go high, 
I seek the storm — hut, for a calm unfit, 
Will steer too near the sands, to show my wit.' " 

" I showed little wit in intrusting myself to your charge," said Trip- 
tolemus ; " and you still less when you upset the boat at the throat of 
the voe, as you call it, when even the poor bairn, that was mair than 
half-drowned, told you that you were carrying too much sail ; and then 
ye wad fasten the rape to the bit stick on the boat-side, that ye might 
have time to play on the fiddle." 

" What !" said the Udaller, "make fast the sheets to the thwart ? a 
most unseasonable practice, Claud Halcro." 

" And sae came of it," replied the agriculturist ; for the neist blast 
(and Ave are never lang without ane in these parts) whoinled us as a 
gudewife would whomle a bowie, and ne'er a thing wad Maister Halcro 
save but his fiddle. The puir bairn swam out like a water-spaniel, and 
I swattered hard for my life wi' the help of ane of the oars ; and here 
we are, comfortless creatures, that, till a good wind blew you here, had 



234 THE PIRATE. 



wdust 



naething to eat but a mouthful of Norway rusk, that has mair sawdust 
than ryemeal in it, and tastes liker turpentine than onything else." 

"I thought we heard you very merry," said Brenda, "as we came 
along the beach." 

" Ye heard a fiddle, Mistress Brenda," said the Factor ; " and may- 
be ye may think there can be nae dearth, miss, where that is skirling. 
But then it was Maister Claud Halcro's fiddle, whilk, I am apt to 
think, wad skirl at his father's deathbed, or at his ain, sae lang as his 
fingers could pinch the thairm. And it was nae sma' aggravation to 
my misfortune to have him bumming a' sorts of springs, — Norse and 
Scots, Highland and Lawland, English and Italian, in my lug, as if 
nothing had happened that was amiss, and we all in such stress and 
perplexity." 

" Why, I told you sorrow would never right the boat, Factor," said 
the thoughtless minstrel, " and I did my best to make you merry ; if I 
failed, it was neither my fault nor my fiddle's. I have drawn the bow 
across it before glorious John Dryden himself." 

" I will hear no stories about glorious John Dryden," answered the 
Udaller, who dreaded Halcro's narratives as much as Triptolemus did 
his music, — " I will hear nought of Mm, but one story to every three 
bowls of punch, — it is our old paction, you know. But tell me instead, 
what said Noma to you about your errand !" 

" Ay, there was anither fine upshot," said Master Yellowley. She 
wadna look at us, or listen to us ; only she bothered our acquaintance. 
Master Halcro here, who thought he could have sae much to say wi 
her, with about a score of questions about your family and household 
estate, Master Magnus Troil ; and when she had gotten a' she wanted 
out of him, I thought she wad hae dung him ower the craig, like an 
empty peacod." 

" And for yourself?" said the Udaller. 

" She wadna listen to my story, nor hear sae much as a word that I 
had to say," answered Triptolemus; "and sae much for them that 
seek to witches and familiar spirits !" 

" You needed not to have had recourse to Noma's wisdom, Master 
Factor," said Minna, not unwilling, perhaps, to stop his railing against 
the friend who had so lately rendered her service ; "the youngest child 
in Orkney could have told you, that fairy treasures, if they are not 
wisely employed for the good of others, as Avell as of those to whom 
they are imparted, do not dwell long with their possessors." 

"Your humble servant to command, Mistress Minnie," said Tripto- 
lemus ; " I thank ye for the hint, — and I am blithe that you have 
gotten your wits — I beg pardon, I meant your health — into the barn- 
yard again. For the treasure, I neither used nor abused it, — they 
that live in the house with my sister Baby wad find it hard to do 
cither ! — and as for speaking of it, whilk they say muckle offends them 
whom we in Scotland call Good Neighbours, and you call Brows, the 
face of the auld Norse kings on the coins themselves might have spoken 
as much about it as ever I did." 

" The Factor," said Claud Halcro, not unwilling to seize the oppor- 
tunity of revenging himself on Triptolemus for disgracing his seaman- 
ship and disparaging his music, — " The Factor was so scrupulous as to 



THE PIRATE. 235 

keep the thing quiet even from his master, the Lord Chamberlain; 
but, now that the matter has ta'en wind, he is likely to have to account 
to his master for that which is no longer in his possession ; for the Lord 
Chamberlain will be in no hurry, I think, to believe the story of the 
dwarf. Neither do I think" (winking to the Udaller) "that Noma gave 
credit to- a word of so odd a story ; and I dare say that was the reason 
that she received us, I must needs say, in a very dry manner. I rather 
think she knew* that Triptolemus, our friend here, had found some other 
hiding-hole for the money, and that the story of the goblin was all his 
own invention. For my part, I will never believe there was such a 
dwarf to be seen as the creature Master Yellowley describes until I set 
my own eyes on him." 

" Then you may do so at this moment," said the Factor ; "for, by 

" (he muttered a deep asseveration as he sprung on his feet in 

great horror), "there the creature is !" 

All turned their eyes in the direction in which he pointed, and saw 
the hideous misshapen figure of Pacolet, with his eyes fixed and glaring 
at them through the smoke. He had stolen upon their conversation 
unperceived, until the Factor's eye lighted upon him in the manner we 
have described. There was something so ghastly in his sudden and 
unexpected appearance that even the Udaller, to whom his form was 
familiar, could not help starting. Neither pleased with himself for 
having testified this degree of emotion, however slight, nor with the 
dwarf who had given cause to it, Magnus asked him sharply, what was 
his business there ? Pacolet replied by producing a letter, which he 
gave to the Udaller, uttering a sound resembling the word Shogh. 1 

" That is the Highlandman's language," said the Udaller — " didst 
thou learn that, Nicholas, when you lost your own?" 

Pacolet nodded, and signed to him to read his letter. 

" That is no such easy matter by fire-light, my good friend," replied 
the Udaller ; "but it may concern Minna, and we must try." 

Brenda offered her assistance, but the Udaller answered, " No, no, 
my girl — Noma's letters must be read by those they are written to. 
Give the knave, Strumpfer, a drop of brandy the while, though he little 
deserves it at my hands, considering the grin with which he sent the 
good Nantz down the crag this morning, as if it had been as much 
ditch-water." 

"Will you be this honest gentleman's cup-bearer— his Ganymede, 
friend Yellowley, or shall I?" said Claud Halcro aside to the Factor; 
while Magnus Troil, having carefully wiped his spectacles, which he 
produced from a large copper case, had disposed them on his nose, and 
was studying the epistle of Noma, 

■ " I would not touch him, or go near him, for all the Carse of Gowrie," 
said the Factor, whose fears were by no means entirely removed, though 
he saw that the dwarf was received as a creature of flesh and blood by 
the rest of the company ; "but I pray you to ask him what he has 
done with my horn of coins ?" 

The dwarf, who heard the question, threw back his head, and dis- 
played his enormous throat, pointing to it with his finger. 

"Nay, if he has swallowed them v there is no more to be said," re- 

1 In Gaelic, there. 



236 THE PIRATE. 

plied the Factor ; " only I hope he will thrive on them as a cow on 
wet clover. He is Dame Noma's servant, it's like— such man, such 
mistress ! But if theft and witchcraft are to go unpunished in this 
land, my Lord must find another factor ; for I have been used to live 
in a country where men's worldly gear was keepit from infang and out- 
fang thief, as well as their immortal souls from the claws of the deil 
and his cummers— sain and save us !" 

The agriculturist was perhaps the less reserved in expressing his 
complaints that the Udaller was for the present out of hearing, having 
drawn Claud Halcro apart into another corner of the hut. 

"And tell me," said he, "friend Halcro, what errand took thee to 
Sumburgh, since I reckon it was scarce the mere pleasure of sailing in 
partnership with yonder barnacle?" 

" In faith, Fowd," said the bard, " and if you will have the truth, I 
went to speak to Noma on your affairs." 

" On my affairs ?" replied the Udaller ; " on what affairs of mine ?" 

" Just touching your daughter's health. I heard that Noma refused 
your message, and would not see Eric Scambester. Now, said I to my- 
self, I have scarce joyed in meat, or drink, or music, or aught else, 
since Jarto Minna has been so ill ; and I may say, literally as well as 
figuratively, that my day and night have been made sorrowful to me. 
In short, I thought I might have some more interest with old Noma 
than another, as scalds and wise women were always accounted some- 
thing akin ; and I undertook the journey with the hope to be of some 
use to my old friend and his lovely daughter." 

" And it was most kindly done of you, good warm-hearted Claud," 
said the Udaller, shaking him warmly by the hand — " I ever said you 
showed the good old Norse heart amongst all thy fiddling and thy folly. 
Tut, man, never wince for the matter, but be blithe that thy heart is 
better than thy head. Well, — and I warrant you got no answer from 
Noma?" 

"None to purpose," replied Claud Halcro ; "but she held me close 
to question about Minna's illness, too, — and I told her how I had met 
her abroad the other morning in no very good weather, and how her 
sister Brenda said she had hurt her foot ; — in short, I told her all and 
everything I knew." 

" And something more besides, it would seem," said the Udaller ; 
"for I, at least, never heard before that Minna had hurt herself." 

"Oh, a scratch ! a mere scratch !" said the old man ; " but I was 
startled about it — terrified lest it had been the bite of a dog, or some 
hurt from a venomous thing. I told all to Noma, however." 

" And what," answered the Udaller, " did she say, in the way of 
reply ?" 

" She bade me begone about my business, and told me that the issue 
would be known at the Kirkwall Fair ; and said just the like to this 
noodle of a Factor— it was all that either of us got for our labour," 
said Halcro. 

" That is strange," said Magnus. " My kinswoman writes me in 
this letter not to fail going thither with my daughters. This fair runs 
strongly in her head; — one would think she intended to lead the 
market, and yet she has nothing to buy or to sell there that I know of. 



THE PIRATE. 237 

And so you came away as wise as you went, and swamped your boat at 
the mouth of the voe r 

" Why, how could I help it ?" said the poet. " I had set the boy to 
steer, and as the flaw came suddenly off-snore, I could not let go the 
tack and play on the fiddle at the same time. But it is all well enough 
— salt-water never harmed Zetlander, so as he could get out of it ; and, 
as Heaven would have it, we were within man's depth of the shore, and 
chancing to find this skio, we should have done well enough, with 
shelter and fire, and are much better than well with your good cheer and 
good company. But it wears late, and Night and Day must be both as 
sleepy as old Midnight can make them. There is an inner crib here 
where the fishers slept — somewhat fragrant with the smell of their fish, 
but that is wholesome. They shall bestow themselves there, with the 
help of what cloaks you have, and then we will have one cup of brandy 
and one stave of glorious John, or some little trifle of my own, and so 
sleep as sound as cobblers." 

" Two glasses of brandy, if you please," said the Udaller, " if our 
stores do not run dry ; but not a single stave of glorious John, or of 
any one else to-night." 

And this being arranged and executed agreeably to the peremptory 
pleasure of the Udaller, the whole party consigned themselves to 
slumber for the night, and on the next day departed for their several 
habitations, Claud Halcro having previously arranged with the Udaller 
that he would accompany him and his daughters on their proposed visit 
to Kirkwall. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

" By this hand, thou think'st me as far in the devil's hook as thou and Falstaff for 
ohduracy and persistency. Let the end try the man . . . Albeit I could tell to thee 
(as to one it pleases me, for fault of a better, to call my friend) I could he sad, and sad 
indeed, too." 

Henry IV., Part 2d. 

We must now change the scene from Zetland to Orkney, and re- 
quest our readers to accompany us to the ruins of an elegant, though 
ancient structure, called the Earl's Palace. These remains, though 
much dilapidated, still exist in the neighbourhood of the massive and 
venerable pile, which Norwegian devotion dedicated to Saint Magnus 
the Martyr, and, being contiguous to the Bishop's Palace, which is also 
ruinous, the place is impressive, as exhibiting vestiges of the mutations 
both in Church and State which have affected Orkney, as well as 
countries more exposed to such convulsions. Several parts of these 
ruinous buildings might be selected (under suitable modifications) as 
the model of a Gothic mansion, provided architects would be contented 
rather to imitate what is really beautiful in that species of building, 
than to make a medley of the caprices of the order, confounding the 
military, ecclesiastical, and domestic styles of all ages at random, with 
additional fantasies and combinations of their own device, " all formed 
out of the builder's brain." 



238 THE PIRATE. 

The Earl's Palace forms three sides of an oblong square, and has, 
even in its ruins, the air of an elegant yet massive structure, uniting, 
as was usual in the residence of feudal princes, the character of a 
palace and of a castle. A great banqueting-hall, communicating with 
several large rounds or projecting turret-rooms, and having at either 
end an immense chimney, testifies the ancient Northern hospitality of 
the Earls of Orkney, and communicates, almost in the modern fashion, 
with a gallery, or with drawing-room of corresponding dimensions, and 
having, like the hall, its projecting turrets. The lordly hall itself is 
lighted by a fine Gothic window of shafted stone at one end, and is 
entered by a spacious and elegant staircase, consisting of three flights 
of stone steps. The exterior ornaments and proportions of the ancient 
building are also very handsome ; but, being totally unprotected, this 
remnant of the pomp and grandeur of Earls, who assumed the license 
as well as the dignity of petty sovereigns, is now fast crumbling to de- 
cay, and has suffered considerably since the date of our story. 

With folded arms and downcast looks, the pirate Cleveland was 
pacing slowly the ruined hall which we have just described ; a place of 
retirement which he had probably chosen because it was distant from 
public resort. His dress was considerably altered from that which he 
usually wore in Zetland, and seemed a sort of uniform richly laced, and 
exhibiting no small quantity of embroidery ; a hat with a plume, and 
a small sword very handsomely mounted, then the constant companion 
of every one who assumed the rank of a gentleman, showed his pre- 
tensions to that character. But if his exterior was so far improved, it 
seemed to be otherwise with his health and spirits. He was pale, and 
had lost both the fire of his eye and the vivacity of his step, and his 
whole appearance indicated melancholy of mind, or suffering of body, 
or a combination of both evils. 

As Cleveland thus paced these ancient ruins, a young man, of a light 
and slender form, whose showy dress seemed to have been studied with 
care, yet exhibited more extravagance than judgment or taste, whose 
manner was a jaunty affectation of the free and easy rake of the period, 
and the expression of whose countenance was lively, with a cast of 
effrontery, tripped up the staircase, entered the hall, and presented 
himself to Cleveland, who merely nodded to him, and pulling his hat 
deeper over his brows resumed his solitary and discontented pro- 
menade. 

The stranger adjusted his own hat, nodded in return, took snuff 
with the air of a, petit maitre, from a richly-chased gold box, offered it 
to Cleveland as he passed, and being repulsed rather coldly, replaced 
the box in his pocket, folded his arms in his turn, and stood looking 
with fixed attention on his motions whose solitude he had interrupted. 
At length Cleveland stopped short, as if impatient of being longer the 
subject of his observation, and said abruptly, "Why can 1 not be left 
alone for half an hour, and what the devil is it that you want ?" 

" I am glad you spoke first," answered the stranger, carelessly ; " I 
was determined to know whether you were Clement Cleveland, or Cleve- 
land's ghost, and they say ghosts never take the first word, so I now 
set it down tor yourself in life and limb ; and here is a fine old hurly- 
house you have found out for an owl to hide himself in at mid-day, or a 



THE PIRATE. 239 

ghost to revisit the pale glimpses of the moon, as the divine Shakspeare 
says." 

" Well, well," answered Cleveland, abruptly, "your jest is made, and 
now let us have your earnest." 

" In earnest, then, Captain Cleveland," replied his companion, " I 
think you know me for your friend." 

" I am content to suppose so," said Cleveland. 

" It is more than supposition," replied the young man ; " I have 
proved it — proved it both here and elsewhere." 

"Well, well," answered Cleveland, "I admit you have been always 
a friendly fellow — and what then?" 

" Well, well— and what then ?" replied the other ; " this is but a 
brief way of thanking folk. Look you, Captain, here is Benson, Bar- 
lowe, Dick Fletcher, and a few others of us who wished you well, have 
kept your old comrade Captain Goffe in these seas upon the look-out 
for you, when he, and Hawkins, and the greater part of the ship's com- 
pany, would fain have been down on the Spanish Main, and at the old 
trade." 

" And I wish to God that you had all gone about your business," said 
Cleveland, " and left me to my fate." 

" Which would have been to be informed against and hanged, Cap- 
tain, the first time that any of these Dutch or English rascals whom 
you have lightened of their cargoes came to set their eyes upon you ; 
and no place more likely to meet with seafaring men than in these 
Islands. And here, to screen you from such a risk, we have been wast- 
ing our precious time till folk are grown very peery ; and when we have 
no more goods or money to spend amongst them, the fellows will be for 
grabbing the ship." 

"Well, then, why do you not sail off without me?" said Cleveland — 
" There has been fair partition, and all have had their share — let all do 
as they like. I have lost my ship, and having been once a Captain, I 
will not go to sea under command of Goffe or any other man. Besides, 
; you know well enough that both Hawkins and he bear me ill-will for 
keeping them from sinking the Spanish brig, with the poor devils of 
negroes on board." 

" Why, what the foul fiend is the matter with thee?" said his com- 
panion: "Are you Clement Cleveland, our own old true-hearted Clem 
of the Cleugh, and do you talk of being afraid of Hawkins and Goffe, 
and a score of such fellows, when you have myself, and Barlowe, and 
Dick Fletcher at your back ? When was it we deserted you, either in 
council or in fight, that you should be afraid of our flinching now ? 
And as for serving under Goffe, I hope it is no new thing for gentlemen 
of fortune who are going on the account to change a Captain now and 
then ? Let us alone for that,— Captain you shall be ; for death rock 
me asleep if I serve under that fellow Goffe, who is as very a blood- 
hound as ever sucked bitch ! No, no, I thank you— my Captain must 
have a little of the gentleman about him, howsoever. Besides, you 
know, it was you who first dipped my hands in the dirty water, and 
turned me from a stroller by land to a rover by sea." 

" Alas, poor Bunce !" said Cleveland, "you owe me little tljanks for 
that service." 



240 THE PIRATE, 

" That is as you take it," replied Bunce ; " for my part I see no harm 
in levying contributions on the public either one way or t'other. Bui 
I wish you would forget that name of Bunce, and call me Altamont, as 
I have often desired you to do. I hope a gentleman of the roving trade 
has as good a right to have an alias as a stroller, and I never stepped 
on the boards but what I was Altamont at the least." 

"Well, then, Jack Altamont," replied Cleveland, "since Altamont 
is the word " 

" Yes, but, Captain, Jack is not the word, though Altamont be so, 
Jack Altamont — why, 'tis a velvet coat with paper lace — Let it be 
Frederick, Captain ; Frederick Altamont is all of a piece." 

" Frederick be it, then, with all my heart," said Cleveland ; " and 
pray tell me, which of your names will sound best at the head of th( 
Last Speech, Confession, and Dying Words of John Bunce, alias Fre- 
derick Altamont, who was this morning hanged at Execution-dock, fo: 
the crime of Piracy upon the High Seas ?" 

" Faith, I cannot answer that question without another can of grog 
Captain ; so if you will go down with me to Bet Haldane's on the quay 
I will bestow some thought on the matter, with the help of a right pip 
of Trinidado. We will have the gallon-bowl filled with the best stui 
you ever tasted, and I know some smart wenches who will help us t 
drain it. But you shake your head — you're not i' the vein ? Well, then 
I will stay with you ; for by this hand, Clem, you shift me not of 
Only I will ferret you out of this burrow of old stones, and carry yo 
into sunshine and fair air. Where shall we go?" 

" Where you will," said Cleveland, " so that you keep out of the wai 
of our own rascals, and all others." 

" Why, then," replied Bunce, " you and I will go up to the Hill c 
Whitford, which overlooks the town, and walk together as gravely an 
honestly as a pair of well-employed attorneys." 

As they proceeded to leave the ruinous castle, Bunce, turning bad 
to look at it, thus addressed his companion : 

" Hark ye, Captain, dost thou know who last inhabited this old cock- 
loft?" 

" An Earl of the Orkneys, they say," replied Cleveland. 

" And are you advised what death he died of?" said Bunce ; " for I 
have heard that it was of a tight neck-collar— a hempen fever, or the 
like." 

" The people here do say," replied Cleveland, " that his Lordship, 
some hundred years ago, had the mishap to become acquainted with 
the nature of a loop and a leap in the air. ' 

" Why, la ye there now !" said Bunce ; " there was some credit in 
being hanged in those days, and in such worshipful company. And 
what might his Lordship have done to deserve such promotion ?" 

" Plundered the liege subjects, they say," replied Cleveland ; " slain 
and wounded them, fired upon his Majesty's flag, and so forth." 

" Near akin to a gentleman rover, then," said Bunce, making a 
theatrical bow towards the old building ; " and, therefore, my most- 
potent, grave, and reverend Signior Earl, I crave leave to call you my 
loving cousin, and bid you most heartily adieu. I leave you in t] 
good company of rats and mice, and so forth, and I carry with me i 



THE PIRATE. 241 

honest gentleman who, having of late had no more heart than a mouse, 
is now desirous to run away from his profession and friends like a rat, 
and would therefore be a most fitting denizen of your Earlship's 
palace." 

" I would advise you not to speak so loud, my good friend Frederick 
Altamont, or John Bunce," said Cleveland ; " when you were on the 
stage, you might safely rant as loud as you listed ; but, in your present 
profession, of which you are so fond, every man speaks under correction 
of the yard-arm and a running noose." 

The comrades left the little town of Kirkwall in silence, and ascended 
the Hill of Whitford, which raises its brow of dark heath, uninterrupted 
by enclosures or cultivation of any kind, to the northward of the ancient 
Burgh of Saint Magnus. The plain at the foot of the hill was already 
occupied by numbers of persons who were engaged in making prepara- 
tions for the Fair of Saint Olla, to be held upon the ensuing day, and 
which forms a general rendezvous to all the neighbouring islands of 
Orkney, and is even frequented by many persons from the more distant 
archipelago of Zetland. It is, in the words of the Proclamation, " a 
free JVlercat and Fair, holclen at the good Burgh of Kirkwall on the 
third of August, being Saint Olla's day," and continuing for an inde- 
finite space thereafter, extending from three days to a week and up- 
wards. The fair is of great antiquity, and derives its name from Olaus, 
Olave, Ollaw, the celebrated Monarch of Norway, who, rather by the 
edge of his sword than any milder argument, introduced Christianity 
into these isles, and was respected as the patron of Kirkwall some time 
before he shared that honour with Saint Magnus the Martyr. 

It was no part of Cleveland's purpose to mingle in the busy scene 
which was here going on ; and, tinning their route to the left, they 
soon ascended into undisturbed solitude, save where the grouse, more 
plentiful in Orkney, perhaps, than in any other part of the British 
dominions, rose in covey, and went off before them. 1 Having continued 
to ascend till they had well-nigh reached the summit of the conical 
hill, both turned round, as with one consent, to look at and admire the 
prospect beneath. 

The lively bustle which extended between the foot of the hill and the 
town gave life and variety to that part of the scene ; then was seen the 
town itself, out of which arose, like a great mass, superior in proportion 
as it seemed to the whole burgh, the ancient Cathedral of Saint Magnus, 
of the heaviest order of Gothic architecture, but grand, solemn, and 
stately, the_work of a distant age and of a powerful hand. The quay, 
with the shipping, lent additional vivacity to the scene ; and not only 
the whole beautiful bav, which lies betwixt the promontories of Inganess 
and Quanterness, at the bottom of which Kirkwall is situated, but all 
the sea, so far as visible, and in particular the whole strait betwixt the 
island of Shapinsha and that called Pomona, or the Mainland, was 
covered and enlivened by a variety of boats and small vessels, freighted 
from distant islands to convey passengers or merchandise to the Fair of 
Saint Olla. 

i It is very curious that the grouse, plenty in Orkney as the text declares, should he 
totally unknown in the neighbouring archipelago of Zetland, which is only about sixty 
miles distance, with the Fair Isle as a step between. 



242 THE PIRATE. 

Having attained the point by which thisTair and busy prospect was 
most completely commanded, each of the strangers, in seaman fashion, 
had recourse to his spy-glass, to assist the naked eye in considering the 
bay of Kirkwall, and the numerous vessels by which it was traversed. 
But the attention of the two companions seemed to be arrested by dif- 
ferent objects. That of Bunce, or Altamont, as he chose to call him- 
self, was riveted to the armed sloop, where, conspicuous by her square 
rigging and length of beam, with the English jack and pennon, which 
they had the precaution to keep flying, she lay among the merchant 
vessels, as distinguished from them by the trim neatness of her appear- 
ance, as a trained soldier amongst a crowd of clowns. 

" Yonder she lies," said Bunce ; " I wish to God she was in the Bay 
of Honduras — you Captain, on the quarter-deck, I your lieutenant, and 
Fletcher quarter-master, and fifty stout fellows under us — I should not 
wish to see these blasted heaths and rocks again for a while ! — And 
Captain you shall soon be. The old brute Goffe gets drunk as a lord 
every day, swaggers, and shoots, and cuts among the crew ; and, be- 
sides, he has quarrelled with the people here so damnably, that they 
will scarce let water or provisions go on board of us, and we expect an 
open breach every day." 

As Bunce received no answer, he turned short round on his com- 
panion, and, perceiving his attention otherwise engaged, exclaimed, — 
" What the devil is the matter with you ? or what can you see in all 
that trumpery small-craft, which is only loaded with stock-fish, and 
ling, and smoked geese, and tubs of butter that is worse than tallow ? — 
the cargoes of the whole lumped together would not be worth the flash 
of a pistol. — No, no ; give me such a chase as we might see from the 
mast-head off the island of Trinidado. Your Don, rolling as deep in 
the water as a grampus, deep-loaden with rum, sugar, and bales of 
tobacco, and all the rest ingots, moidores, and gold dust ; then set all 
sail, clear the deck, stand to quarters, up Avith the Jolly Roger 1 — we 
near her —we make her out to be well manned and armed " 

" Twenty guns on her lower deck," said Cleveland. 

" Forty, if you will," retorted Bunce, " and we have but ten mounted 
— never mind. The Don blazes away — never mind yet, my brave lads 
—run her alongside, and on board with you — to work with your _ gre- 
nadoes, your cutlasses, pole axes, and pistols — The Don cries Miseri- 
cordia, and we share the cargo without co licencio, Seignior" 

" By my faith," said Cleveland, " thou takest so kindly to the trade, 
that all the world may see that no honest man was spoiled when you 
were made a pirate. But you shall not prevail on me to go farther in 
the devil's road with you ; for you know yourself that what is got over 
his back is spent — you wot how. In a week, or a month at most, the 
rum and the sugar are out, the bales of tobacco have become smoke, 
the moidores, ingots, and gold dust have got out of our hands into those 
of the quiet, honest, conscientious folks who dwell at Port-Royal and 
elsewhere — wink hard on our trade as long as we have money, out not 
a jot beyond. Then we have cold looks, and it may be a hint is given 
to the Judge Marshal; for, when our pockets are worth nothing, our 

> The pirates gave this name to the black flag, which, with, many horrible de- 
vices to enhance its terrors, was their favourite ensign. 



I, 



THE PIRATE. 213 

honest friends, rather than want, will make money upon our heads. 
Then comes a high gallows and a short halter, and so dies the Gentle- 
man Rover. I tell thee, I will leave this trade ; and, when I turn my 
glass from one of these barks and boats to another, there is not the 
worst of them which I would not row for life, rather than continue to 
be what I have been. These poor men make the sea a means of honest 
livelihood and friendly commimication between shore and shore, for the 
mutual benefit of the inhabitants ; but we have made it a road to the 
ruin of others, and to our own destruction here and in eternity. — I am 
determined to turn honest man, and use this life no longer ! " 

" And where will your honesty take up its abode, if it please you ? " 
said Bunce. — " You have broken the laws of every nation, and the 
hand of the law will detect and crush you wherever you may take re- 
fuge. — Cleveland, I speak to you more seriously than I am wont to do. 
I have had my reflections too, and they have been bad enough, though 
they have lasted but a few minutes, to spoil me weeks of jovialty. But 
here is the matter, — what can we do but go on as we have done, unless 
we have a direct purpose of adorning the yard-arm 1 " 

" We may claim the benefit of the proclamation to those of our sort 
who come in and surrender," said Cleveland. 

"Umph!" answered his companion, dryly; "the date of that day 
of grace has been for some time over, and they may take the penalty or 
grant the pardon at their pleasure. Were I you, I would not put my 
neck in such a venture." 

« Why, others have been admitted but lately to favour, and why 
should not I?" said Cleveland. 

" Ay," replied his associate, " Harry Glasby and some others have 
been spared ; but Glasby did what was called good service, in betraying 
his comrades, and retaking the Jolly Fortune ; and that I think you 
would scorn, even to be revenged of the brute Goffe yonder." 

" I would die a thousand times sooner," said Cleveland. 

" I will be sworn for it," said Bunce ; " and the others were forecastle 
fellows — petty larceny rogues, scarce worth the hemp it would have cost 
to hang them. But your name has stood too high amongst the gentle- 
men of fortune for you to get off so easily. You are the prime buck of 
the herd, and will be marked accordingly." 

" And why so, I pray you 1 " said Cleveland ; " you know well enough 
my aim, Jack." 

" Frederick, if you please," said Bunce. 

" The devil take your folly !— Prithee keep thy wit, and let us be 
grave for a moment." 

" For a moment— be it so," said Bunce ; " but I feel the spirit of 
Altamont coming fast upon me,— I have been a grave man for ten 
minutes already." 

" Be so then for a little longer," said Cleveland ; " I know, Jack, 
that you really love me ; and, since we have come thus far in this talk, 
I will trust you entirely. Now tell me why should I be refused the 
benefit of this gracious proclamation ? I have borne a rough outside, 
as thou knowest ; but, in time of need, I can show the number of 
lives which I have been the means of saving, the property which I 
have restored to those who owned it, when, without my interces' 



244 THE PIRATE. 

sion, it would have been wantonly destroyed. In short, Bunce, I can 

show " 

" That you were as gentle a thief as Robin Hood himself," said 
Bunce ; " and for that reason, I, Fletcher, and the better sort among 
us, love you as one who saves the character of us gentlemen rovers 
from utter reprobation. Well, suppose your pardon made out, what 
are you to do next ? — what class in society will receive you ? — with whom 
will you associate ? Old Drake, in Queen Bess's time, could plunder 
Peru and Mexico without a line of commission to show for it, and, 
blessed be her memory ! he was knighted for it on his return. And 
there was Hal Morgan, the Welshman, nearer our time, in the days of 
merry King Charles, brought all his gettings home, had his estate and 
his country-house, and who but he 'I But that is all ended now — once a 
pirate, and an outcast for ever. The poor devil may go and live, 
shunned and despised by every one, in some obscure seaport, with such 

§art of his guilty earnings as courtiers and clerks leave him — for par- 
ons do not pass the seals for nothing ; and, when he takes his walk 
along the pier, if a stranger asks who is the down-looking, swarthy, 
melancholy man, for whom all make way, as if he brought the plague 
in his person, the answer shall be, that is such a one, the pardoned 
pirate ! No honest man will speak to him, no woman of repute will 
give him her hand." 

" Your picture is too highly coloured, Jack," said Cleveland, suddenly 
interrupting his friend ; "There are women — there is one at least that 
would be true to her lover even if he were what you have described." 

Bunce was silent for a moment, and looked fixedly at his friend. " By 
my soul !" he said, at length, " I begin to think myself a conjurer. 
Unlikely as it all was, I could not help suspecting from the beginning 
that there was a girl in the case. Why, this is worse than Prince Vol- 
scius in love, ha ! ha ! ha !" 

" Laugh as you will," said Cleveland, " it is true ; there is a maiden 
who is contented to love me, pirate as I am ; and I will fairly own to 
you, Jack, that, though I have often at times detested our roving life, 
and myself for following it, yet I doubt if I could have found resolution 
to make the break which I have now resolved on hut for her sake." 

"Why, then, God-a-mercy !" replied Bunce, "there is no speaking 
sense to a madman ; and love in one of your trade, Captain, is little 
better than lunacy. The girl must be a rare creature, for a wise man 
to risk hanging for her. But, hark ye, may she not be a little touched 
as well as yourself ? — and is it not sympathy that has done it l She can- 
not be one of our ordinary cockatrices, but a girl of conduct and character." 

" Both are as undoubted as that she is the most beautiful and be- 
witching creature whom the eye ever opened upon," answered Cleve- 
land. 

" And she loves thee, knowing thee, most noble captain, to be a com- 
mander among those gentlemen of fortune, whom the vulgar call 
pirates ¥' 

" Even so— I am assured of it," said Cleveland. 

" Why then," answered Bunce, " she is either mad in good earnest, 
as I said before, or she does not know what a pirate is." 

"You are right in the last point," replied Cleveland. "She has 



THE PIRATE. 245 

been bred in such remote simplicity, and utter ignorance of what is 
evil, that she compares our occupation with that of the old Norsemen, 
who swept sea and haven with their victorious galleys, established colo- 
nies, conquered countries, and took the name of Sea Kings." 

" And a better one it is than that of pirate, and comes much to the 
same purpose/I dare say," said Bunce. " But this must be a mettled 
wench ! — why did you not bring her aboard l methinks it was pity to 
baulk her fancy." 

" And do you think," said Cleveland, " that I could so utterly play 
the part of a fallen spirit as to avail myself of her enthusiastic error, 
and bring an angel of beauty and innocence acquainted with such a 
hell as exists on board of yonder infernal ship of ours ? I tell you, my 
friend, that, were all my former sins doubled in weight and in dye, such 
a villainy would have outglared and outweighed them all." 

"Why, then, Captain Cleveland," said his confidant, "methinks it 
was but a fool's part to come hither at all. The news must one day 
have gone abroad, that the celebrated pirate Captain Cleveland, with 
his good sloop the Revenge, had been lost on the mainland of Zetland, 
and all hands perished '( so you would have remained hid both from 
friend and enemy, and might have married your pretty Zetlander, and 
converted your sash and scarf into fishing-nets, and your cutlass into 
a harpoon, and swept the seas for fish instead of florins." 

" And so I had determined," said the Captain ; " but a Jagger, as 
they call them here, like a meddling, peddling thief as he is, brought 
down intelligence to Zetland of your lying here, and I was fain to set 
off, to see if you were the consort of whom I had told them, long before 
I thought of leaving the roving trade." 

" Ay," said Bunce, " and so far you judged well. For, as you had 
heard of our being at Kirkwall, so we should have soon learned that 
you were at Zetland ; and some of us for friendship, some for hatred, 
and some for fear of your playing Harry Glasby upon us, would have 
come down for the purpose of getting you into our company again." 

" I suspected as much," said the Captain, " and therefore was fain 
to decline the courteous offer of a friend, who proposed to bring me here 
about this time. Besides, Jack, I recollected that, as you say, my 
pardon will not pass the seals without money, my own was waxing low 
— no wonder, thou knowest I was never a churl of it — And so " 

" And so you came for your share of the cobs V replied his friend — 
" It was wisely done ; and we shared honourably — so far Goffe has acted 
up to articles, it must be allowed. But keep your purpose of leaving 
him close in your breast, for I dread his playing you some dog's trick 
or other ; for he certainly thought himself sure of your share, and will 
hardly forgive your coming alive to disappoint him." 

"I fear him not," said Cleveland, "and he knows that well. I 
would I were as well clear of the consequences of having been his com- 
rade, as I hold myself to be of all those which may attend his ill-will. 
Another unhappy job I may be troubled with— I hurt a young fellow, 
who has been my plague for some time, in an unhappy brawl that 
chanced the morning I left Zetland." 

"Is he dead'/" asked Bunce: "It is a more serious question here 
than it would be on the Grand Caimains or the Bahama Isles, where a 



248 THE PIBATB 

brace or two of fellows may be shot in a morning, and no more heard 
of or asked about them than if they were so many wood-pigeons. But 
here it may be otherwise ; so I hope you have not made your friend 
immortal." 

" I hope not," said the Captain, " though my anger has been fatal 
to those who have given me less provocation. To say the truth, I was 
sorry for the lad notwithstanding, and especially as I was forced to 
leave him in mad keeping." 

" In mad keeping !" said Bunce ; " why, what means that ?" 

" You shall hear," replied his friend. " In the first place, you are 
to know this young man came suddenly on me while I was trying to 
gam Minna's ear for a private interview before I set sail, that I might 
explain my purpose to her. Now, to be broken in on by the accursed 
rudeness of this young fellow at such a moment " 

" The interruption deserved death," said Bunce, " by all the laws 
of love and honour !". 

" A truce with your ends of plays, Jack, and listen one moment. — 
The brisk youth thought proper to retort, when I commanded ^him to 
be gone. I am not, thou knowest, very patient, and enforced my com- 
mands with a blow, which he returned as roundly. We struggled, till 
I became desirous that we should part at any rate, which I could only 
effect by a stroke of my poniard, which according to old use I have, 
thou knowest, always about me. I had scarce done this when I re- 
pented ; but there was no time to think of anything save escape and 
concealment, for if the house rose on me I was lost ; as the fiery old 
man, who is head of the family, would have done justice on me nad I 
been his brother. I took the body hastily on my shoulders to carry it 
down to the sea-shore, with the purpose of throwing it into a riva, as 
they call them, or chasm of great depth, where it would have been long 
enough in being discovered. This done, I intended to jump into the 
boat which I had lying ready, and set sail for Kirkwall. But as I was 
Avalking hastily towards the beach with my burden, the poor young 
fellow groaned, and so apprised me that the wound had not been in- 
stantly fatal. I was by this time well concealed amongst the rocks, 
and, far from desiring to complete my crime, I laid the young man on 
the ground, and was doing what I could to staunch the blood, when sud- 
denly an old woman stood before me. - She was a person whom I had 
frequently seen while in Zetland, and to whom they ascribe the cha- 
racter of a sorceress, or, as the Negroes say, an Obi woman. She de- 
manded the wounded man of me, and I was too much pressed for time 
to hesitate in complying with her request. More she was about to say 
to me, when we heard the voice of a silly old man, belonging to the 
family, singing at some distance. She then pressed her finger on her 
lip as a sign of secrecy, whistled very low, and a shapeless, deformed 
brute of a dwarf coming to her assistance, they carried the wounded 
man into one of the caverns with which the place abounds, and I got to 
my boat and to sea with all expedition. If that old hag be, as they 
say, connected with the King of the Air, she favoured me that morning 
with a turn of her calling ; for not even the West Indian tornadoes, 
which we have weathered together, made a wilder racket than the 
squall that drove me so far out of our course, that, without a pocket- 



THE PIRATE. 247 

compass which I chanced to have about me, I should never have re- 
covered the Fair Isle, for which we run, and where I found a brig which 
brought me to this place. But whether the old woman meant me weal 
or woe, here we came at length in safety from the sea, and here I remain 
in doubts and difficulties of more kinds than one." 

" Oh, the devil take the Sumburgh-head," said Bunce, " or what- 
ever they call the rock that you knocked our clever little Revenge 
against !" 

" Do not say I knocked her on the rock," said Cleveland ; "have I 
not told you fifty times, if the cowards had not taken to their boat, 
though I showed them the danger, and told them they would all be 
swamped, which happened the instant they cast off the painter, she 
would have been afloat at this moment ? Had they stood by me and 
the ship, their lives would have been saved ; had I gone with them, 
mine would have been lost ; who can say which is for the best V' 

" Well," leplied his friend, " I know your case now, and can the 
better help aad advise. I will be true to you, Clement, as the blade to 
the hilt ; but I cannot think that you should leave us. As the old 
Scottish song says, ' Wae's my heart that we should sunder !' — But 
come, you wil] aboard with us to-day, at any rate 2" 

" I have no other place of refuge," said Cleveland, with a sigh. 

He then once more ran his eyes over the bay, directed his spy-glass 
upon several of the vessels which traversed its' surface, in hopes, doubt- 
less, of discerning the vessel of Magnus Troil, and then followed his 
companion dovru the hill in silence. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

I strive like to the vessel in the tide-way, 

Which, lacking favouring breeze, hath not the power 

To stem the powerful current. — Even so, 

Resolving daily to forsake my vices, 

Habits, strong circumstance, renew'd temptation, 

Sweep me to see again. — heavenly breath, 

Fill thou my sails, and aid the feeble vessel, 

Which ne'er can reach the blessed port without thee! 

'Tis Odds when Evens meet. 

Cleveland, with his friend Bunce, descended the hill for a time in 
silence, until at length the latter renewed their conversation. 

" You have taken this fellow's wound more on your conscience than 
you need, Captain — I have known you do more, and think less on't." 

"Not on such slight provocation, Jack," replied Cleveland. "Be- 
sides, the lad saved my life ; and, say that I requited him the favour, 
still we should not have met on such evil terms ; but I trust that he 
may receive aid from that woman, who has certainly strange skill in 
simples." 

" And over simpletons, Captain," said his friend, " in which class I 
must e'en put you down, if you think more on this subject. That you 
should be made a fool of by a young woman, why, it is many an honest 
man's case ; but to puzzle your pate about the mummeries of an old 



248 THE PIRATE. 



)f your 



one, is far too great a folly to indulge a friend in. Talk to me of yoi 
Minna, since you so call her, as much as you will ; but you have no 
title to trouble your faithful squire-errant with your old mumping ma- 
gician. And now here we are once more amongst the booths and tents 
which these good folk are pitching — let us look, and see whether we 
may not find some fun and frolic amongst them. In merry England, 
now, you would have seen, on such an occasion, two or three bands of 
strollers, as many fire-eaters and conjurers, as many shows of wild 
beasts ; but ? amongst these grave folks, there is nothing but what sa- 
vours of business and of commodity — no, not so much as a single squall 
from my merry gossip Punch and his rib Joan." 

As Bunce thus spoke*, Cleveland cast his eyes on some very gay 
clothes, which, with other articles, hung out upon one of the booths, 
that had a good deal more of ornament and exterior decoration than 
the rest. There was in front a small sign of canvass painted, announcing 
the variety of goods which the owner of the booth, Bryce Snailsfoot, had 
on sale, and the reasonable prices at which he proposed to offer them 
to the public. For the farther gratification of the spectator, the sign 
bore on the opposite side an emblematic device, resembling our first 
parents in their vegetable garments, with this legend :— 

"Poor sinners whom the snake deceives, 
Are fain to cover them with leaves. 
Zetland hath no leaves, 'tis true, 
Because that trees are none, or few; 
But we have flax and taits of woo', 
For linen cloth and wadmaal hlue; 
And we have many of foreign knacks 
Of finer waft than woo' or flax. 
Ye gallanty Lambmas lads, l appear, 
And bring your Lambmas sisters here, 
Bryce Snailsfoot spares not cost or care, 
To pleasure every gentle pair." 

While Cleveland was perusing these goodly rhymes, which brought 
to his mind Claud Halcro, to whom, as the poet-laureate of the island, 
ready Avith his talent alike in the service of the great and small, they 
probably owed their origin, the worthy proprietor of the booth, having 
cast his eye upon him, began with hasty and trembling hand to remove 
some of the garments, which, as the sale did not commence till me 
ensuing day, he had exposed either for the purpose of airing them, or 
to excite tlie admiration of the spectators. 

"By my word, Captain," whispered Bunce to Cleveland, "you mus\, 
have had that fellow under your clutches one day, and he remembers 
one gripe of your talons and fears another. See how fast he is packing 
his wares out of sight, so soon as he set eyes on you !" 

"His wares!" said Cleveland, on looking more attentively at his 
proceedings : " By Heaven, they are my clothes which I left in a chest 
at Jarlshof when the Revenge was lost there. — Why, Bryce Snailsfoot, 
thou thief, dog, and villain, what means this ? Have you not made 

1 It was anciently a custom at Saint OUa's Fair at Kirkwall, that the young people 
of t be lower class, and of either sex, associated in pairs for the period of the Fair, dur- 
ing which the couple were termed Lambmas brother and sister. It is easy to conceive 
that the exclusive familiarity arising out of this custom was liable to abuse, the rather 
that it is said little scandal was attached to the indiscretions which it occasioned. 



THE PIRATE. 249 

enough of us by cheap buying and dear selling that you have seized on 
my trunk and wearing apparel 1" 

Bryce Snailsfoot, who probably would otherwise not have been will- 
ing to see his friend the Captain, was now, by the vivacity of his attack, 
obliged to pay attention to him. He first whispered to his little foot- 
page, by whom, as we have already noticed, he was usually attended, 
" Run to the town-council-house, jarto, and tell the provost and bailies 
they maun send some of their officers speedily, for here is like to be 
wild wark in the fair." 

So having said, and having seconded his commands by a push on the 
shoulder of his messenger, which sent him spinning out of the shop 
as fast as heels could carry him, Bryce Snailsfoot turned to his old 
acquaintance, and, with that amplification of words and exaggeration 
of manner, which in Scotland is called "making a phrase," he ejacu- 
lated, — " The Lord be gude to us ! the worthy Captain Cleveland, that 
we were all so grieved about, returned to relieve our hearts again ! "Wat 
have my cheeks been for you" (here Bryce wiped his eyes), "and blithe 
am I now to see you restored to your sorrowing friends !" 

" My sorrowing friends, you rascal !." said Cleveland ; "I will give 
you better cause for sorrow than ever you had on my account, if you do 
not tell me instantly where you stole all my clothes." 

" Stole !" ejaculated Bryce, casting up his eyes ; " now the Powers 
be gude to us ! — the poor gentleman has lost his reason in that weary 
gale of wind." 

''Why, you insolent rascal!" said Cleveland, grasping the cane 
which he carried, "do you think to bamboozle me with your impudence ? 
As you would have a whole head on your shoulders, and your bones in 
a whole skin one minute longer, tell me where the devil you stole my 
wearing apparel ?" 

Bryce Snailsfoot ejaculated once more a repetition of the word 
" Stole ! now Heaven be gude to us !" but at the same time, conscious 
that the Captain was likely to be sudden in execution, cast an anxious 
look to the town, to see the loitering aid of the civil power advance to 
his rescue. 

"I insist on an instant answer," said the Captain, with upraised 
weapon, " or else I will beat you to a mummy, and throw out all your 
frippery upon the common !" 

Meanwhile, Master John Bunce, who considered the whole affair as 
an excellent good jest, and not the worst one that it made Cleveland 
angry, seized hold of the Captain's arm, and, without any idea of ulti- 
mately preventing him from executing his threats, interfered just so 
much as was necessary to protract a discussion so amusing. 

" Nay, let the honest man speak," he said, " messmate ; he has as 
fine a cozening face as ever stood on a knavish pair of shoulders, and 
his are the true flourishes of eloquence, in the course of which men snip 
the cloth an inch too short. Now, I wish you to consider that you are 
both of a trade, — he measures bales by the yard, and you by the 
sword,— and so I will not have him chopped up till he has had a fair 
chase." 

" You are a fool !" said Cleveland, endeavouring to shake his friend 
off. — " Let me go ! for, by Heaven, 1 will be foul of him !" 



250 THE PIRATE. 

" Hold him fast." said the pedlar, " good dear merry gentleman, 
hold him fast!" 

" Then say something for yourself," said Bunce ; " use your gob- 
box, man ; patter away, or, by my soul, I will let him loose on you !" 

" He says I stole these goods," said Bryce, who now saw himself 
run so close, that pleading to the charge became inevitable. " Now, 
how could I steal them, when they are mine by fair and lawful pur- 
chase l" 

" Purchase ! you beggarly vagrant !" said Cleveland ; " from whom 
did you dare to buy my clothes '! or who had the impudence to sell 
them ?" 

"Just that worthy professor Mrs Swertha, the housekeeper at 
Jarlshof, who acted as your executor," said the pedlar ; " and a grieved 
heart she had." 

" And so she was resolved to make a heavy pocket of it, I suppose," 
said the Captain ; " but how did she dare to sell the things left in her 
charge I" 

"Why, she acted all for the best, good woman!" said the pedlar, 
anxious to protract the discussion until the arrival of succours ; " and, 
if you will but hear reason, I am ready to account with you for the 
chest and all that it holds." 

" Speak out, then, and let us have none of thy damnable evasions," 
said Captain Cleveland ; " if you show ever so little purpose of being 
somewhat honest for once in thy life, I will not beat thee." 

" Why, you see, noble Captain," said the pedlar, — and then mut- 
tered to himself, "plague on Pate Paterson's cripple knee, they will 
be waiting for him, hirpling useless body!" then resumed aloud — 
" The country, ye see, is in great perplexity, — great perplexity, in- 
deed, — much perplexity, truly. There was your honour missing, that 
was loved by great and small — clean missing — no where to be heard 
of — a lost man — umquhile — dead— defunct!" 

"You shall find me alive to your cost, you scoundrel!" said the 
irritated Captain. 

" Weel, but take patience,— ye will not hear a body speak," said the 
Jagger. — " Then there was the lad Mordaunt Mertoun " 

" Ha !" said the Captain, " what of him ?" 

" Cannot be heard of," said the pedlar ;* " clean and clear tint, — a 
gone youth ; — fallen, it is thought, from the craig into the sea — he was 
aye venturous. I have had dealings with him for furs and feathers, 
whilk he swapped against powder and shot, and the like ; and now he 
has worn out from among us — clean retired — utterly vanished, like 
the last puff of an auld wife's tobacco pipe." 

"But what is all this to the Captain's clothes, my dear friend?" 
said Bunce ; " I must presently beat you myself unless you come to 
the point." 

" Weel, weel — patience, patience," said Bryce, waving his hand ; 
" you will get all time enough. Weel, there are two folks gane, as I 
said, forbye the distress at Burgh-Westra about Mistress Mimias sad 
ailment— — " 

" Bring not her into your buffoonery, sirrah," said Cleveland in a 
tone of anger, not so loud, but far deeper and more concentrated than 



THE PIRATE. 251 

he had hitherto used ; " for, if you name her with less than reverence, 
I will crop the ears out of your head, and make you swallow them on 
the spot r 

" He, he, he !" faintly laughed the Jagger ; " that were a pleasant 
jest ! you are pleased to be witty. But, to say naething of Burgh- 
Westra, there is the carle at Jarlshof, he that was the auld Mertoun, 
Mordaunt's father, whom men thought as fast bound to the place he 
dwelt in as the Sumburgh-head itsell, naething maun serve him but he 
is lost as weel as the lave about whom I have spoken. And there's 
Magnus Troil (wi' favour be he named) taking horse ; and there is 
pleasant Maister Claud Haicro taking boat, whilk he steers worst of 
any man in Zetland, his head running on rambling rhymes ; and the 
Factor body is on the stir — the Scots Factor — him that is aye speaking 
of dikes and delving, and such unprofitable wark, which has naething 
of merchandise in it, and he is on the lang trot, too ; so that ye might 
say, upon a manner, the tae half of the Mainland of Zetland is lost, 
and the other is running to and fro seeking it — awfu' times 1" 

Captain Cleveland had subdued his passion, and listened to this tirade 
of the worthy man of merchandise with impatience indeed, yet not 
without the hope of hearing something that might concern him. But 
his companion was now become impatient in his turn : — " The clothes !" 
he exclaimed, " the clothes, the clothes, the clothes !" accompanying 
each repetition of the words with a flourish of his cane, the dexterity 
of which consisted in coming mighty near the Jagger's ears without 
actually touching them. 

The Jagger, shrinking from each of these demonstrations, continued 
to exclaim, "Nay, sir — good sir — worthy sir — for the clothes — I found 
the worthy dame in great distress on account of her old maister, and on 
account of her young maister, and on account of worthy Captain Cleve- 
land ; and because of the distress of the worthy Fowd's family, and the 
trouble of the great Fowd himself— and because of the Factor, and in 
respect of Claud Haicro, and on other accounts and respects. Also we 
mingled our sorrows and our tears with a bottle, as the holy text hath 
it, and called in the Ranzelman to our council, a worthy man, Niel 
Ronaldson by name, who hath a good reputation." 

Here another flourish of the cane came so very near that it partly 
touched his ear. The Jagger started back, and the truth, or that 
which he desired should be considered as such, bolted from him without 
more circumlocution, as a cork, after much unnecessary buzzing and 
fizzing, springs forth from a bottle of spruce beer. 

" In brief, what the deil mair would you have of it ?— the woman sold 
me the kist of clothes — they are mine by purchase, and that is what I 
will live and die upon." 

'/ In other words," said Cleveland, " this greedy old hag had the 
impudence to sell what was none of hers, and you, honest Bryce Snails- 
foot, had the assurance to be the purchaser !" 

" Oudear, Captain," said the conscientious pedlar, "what wad ye 
hae had twa poor folk to do ? There was yoursell gane that aught the 
things, and Maister Mordaunt was gane that had them in keeping, 
and the things were but damply put up, where they were rotting with 
moth and mould, and " 



252 THE PIRATE. 

" And so this old thief sold them and you bought them, I suppose, 
just to keep them from spoiling ?' said Cleveland. 

"Weel then," said the merchant, "I'm thinking, noble Captain, 
that wad be just the gate of it." 

" Well then, hark ye, you impudent scoundrel," said the Captain. 
" I do not wish to dirty my fingers with you, or to make any distur- 
bance in this place " 

" Good reason for that, Captain— aha !" said the Jagger, slyly. 

" I will break your bones if you speak another word," replied Cleve- 
land. " Take notice — I offer you fair terms — give me back the black 
leathern pocket-book with the lock upon it, and the purse with the 
doubloons, with some few of the clothes I want, and keep the rest in 
the devil's name !" 

" Doubloons ! ! !" — exclaimed the Jagger, with anexaltation of voice 
intended to indicate the utmost extremity of surprise — " What do I 
ken of doubloons ? mv dealing was for doublets, and not for doubloons 
— If there were doubloons in the kist, doubtless Swertha will have 
them in safe keeping for your honour — the damp wouldna harm the 
gold, ye ken." 

" Give me back my pocket-book and my goods, you rascally thief," 
said Cleveland, " or without a word more I will beat your brains out !" 

The wily Jagger, casting eye around him, saw that succour was 
near, in the shape of a party of officers, six in number ; for several 
rencontres with the crew of the pirate had taught the magistrates of 
Kirkwall to strengthen their police parties when these strangers were 
in question. 

" Ye had better keep the thief to suit yoursell, honoured Captain," 
said the Jagger, emboldened by the approach of the civil power ; " for 
wha kens how a' these fine goods and bonny dies were come by ?" 

This was uttered with such provoking slyness of look and tone that 
Cleveland made no farther delay, but seizing upon the Jagger by the 
collar dragged him over his temporary counter, which was, with all' the 
goods displayed thereon, overset in the scuffle ; and, holding him with 
one hand, inflicted on him with the other a severe beating with his cane. 
All this was done so suddenly, and with such energy, that Bryce Snails- 
foot, though rather a stout man, was totally surprised by the vivacity 
of the attack, and made scarce any other effort at extricating himself 
than by roaring for assistance like a bull-calf. The "loitering aid" 
having at length come up, the officers made an effort to seize on Cleve- 
land, and by their united exertions succeeded in compelling him to quit 
hold of the pedlar, in order to defend himself from their assault. This 
he did with infinite strength, resolution, and dexterity, being at the 
same time well seconded by his friend Jack Bimce, who had seen with 
glee the drubbing sustained by the pedlar, and now combated tightly 
to save his companion from the consequences. But, as there had been 
for some time a growing feud between the townspeople and the crew of 
the Rover, the former, provoked by the insolent deportment of the sea- 
men, had resolved to stand by each other, and to aid the civil power 
upon such occasions of riot as should occur in future ; and so many as- 
sistants came up to the rescue of the constables that Cleveland, after 
fighting most manfully, was at length brought to the ground and made 



THE PIRATE. 253 

prisoner. His more fortunate companion had escaped by speed of foot 
as soon as he saw that the day must needs be determined against them. 

The proud heart of Cleveland, which even in its perversion had in 
its feelings something of original nobleness, was like to burst, when he 
felt himself borne down in this unworthy brawl — dragged into the town 
as a prisoner, and hurried through the streets towards the Council- 
house, where the magistrates of the burgh were then seated in council. 
The probability of imprisonment, with all its consequences, rushed also 
upon his mind, and he cursed a hundred times the folly which had not 
rather submitted to the pedlar's knavery than involved him in so peril- 
ous an embarrassment. 

But just as they approached the door of the Council-house, which is 
situated in the middle of the little town, the face of matters was sud- 
denly changed by a new and unexpected incident. 

Bunce, who had designed, by his precipitate retreat, to serve as well 
his friend as himself, had hied him to the haven, where the boat of the 
Rover was then lying, and called the cockswain and boat's crew to the 
assistance of Cleveland. They now appeared on the scene — fierce des- 
peradoes, as became their calling, with features bronzed by the tropical 
sun under which they had pursued it. They rushed at once amongst 
the crowd, laying about them with their stretchers ; and, forcing their 
way up to Cleveland, speedily delivered him from the hands of the 
officers, who were totally unprenared to resist an attack so furious and 
so sudden, and carried him off in triumph towards the quay, — two or 
three of their number facing about from time to time to keep back the 
crowd, whose efforts to recover the prisoner were the less violent, that 
most of the seamen were armed with pistols and cutlasses, as well as 
with the less lethal weapons which alone they had as yet made use of., 

They gained their boat in safety, and jumped into it, carrying along 
with them Cleveland, to whom circumstances seemed to offer no other 
refuge, and pushed off for their vessel, singing in chorus to their oars 
an old ditty, of which the natives of Kirkwall could only hear the first 
stanza : 

"Robin Rover 

Said to his crew, 
Up with the black flag, 

Down with the blue ! — 
Fire on the main-top, 

Fire on the bow, 
Fire on the gun -deck, 

Fire down below I'" 

The wild chorus of their voices was heard long after the words ceased 
to be intelligible. — And thus was the pirate Cleveland again thrown 
almost involuntarily amongst those desperate associates from whom he 
had so often resolved to detach himself. 



254 THE PIRATE. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Parental love, my friend, has power o'er wisdom, 
And is the charm which, like the falconer's lure, 
Can bring from heaven the highest soaring spirits.— 
So, when famed Prosper doff'd his magic robe, 
It was Miranda pluck'd it from his shoulders. 

Old Play. 

Our wandering narrative must now return to Mordaunt Mertoun. 
We left him in the perilous condition of one who has received a severe 
wound, and we now find him in the situation of a convalescent — pale, 
indeed, and feeble, from the loss of much blood and the effects of a 
fever which had followed the injury, but so far fortunate that the 
weapon, having glanced on the ribs, had only occasioned a great effu- 
sion of blood, without touching any vital part, and was now well-nigh 
healed ; so efficacious were the vulnerary nlants and salves with which 
it had been treated by the sage Noma of Fitful-head. 

The matron and her patient now sat together in a dwelling in a re- 
mote island. He had been transported, during his illness, and ere he 
had perfect consciousness, first to her singular habitation near Fitful- 
head, and thence to her present abode, by one of the fishing-boats in 
the station of Burgh-Westra. For such was the command possessed by 
Noma over the superstitious character of her countrymen, that she 
never failed to find faithful agents to execute her commands, whatever 
these happened to be ; and, as her orders were generally given under 
injunctions of the strictest secresy, men reciprocally wondered at occur- 
rences which had in fact been produced by their own agency and that 
of their neighbours, and in which, had they communicated freely with 
each other, no shadow of the marvellous would have remained. 

Mordaunt was now seated by the fire, in an apartment indifferently 
well furnished, having a book in his hand, which he looked upon from 
time to time with signs of ennui and impatience ; feelings which at 
length so far overcame him, that, flinging the volume on the table, he 
fixed his eyes on the fire, and assumed the attitude of one who is en- 
gaged in unpleasant meditation. 

Noma, who sat opposite to him ; and appeared busy in the composi- 
tion of some drug or unguent, anxiously left her seat, and, approaching 
Mordaunt, felt his pulse, making at the same time the most affection- 
ate inquiries whether he felt any sudden pain, and where it was seated. 
The manner in which Mordaunt replied to these earnest inquiries, al- 
though worded so as to express gratitude for her kindness, while he 
disclaimed any feeling of indisposition, did not seem to give satisfaction 
to the Pythoness. 

" Ungrateful boy !" she said, " for whom I have done so much ; you 
whom I have rescued, by my power and skill, from the very gates of 
death,— are you already so weary of me that you cannot refrain from 
showing how desirous you are to spend, at a distance from me, the veiy 
first intelligent days of the life which I have restored you ?" 

" You do me injustice, my kind preserver," replied Mordaunt ; " I 
am not tired of your society ; but I have duties which recall me to 
ordinary life." 



THE PIRATE. 255 

" Duties!" repeated Noma; "and what duties can or ought to in- 
terfere with the gratitude which you owe to me? Duties! Your 
thoughts are on the use of your gun, or on clambering among the rocks 
in quest of sea-fowl. For these exercises your strength doth not yet 
fit you ; and yet these are the duties to which you are so anxious to 
return !" 

" Not so, my good and kind mistress," said Mordaunt. " To name 
one duty, out of many, which makes me seek to leave you, now that 
my strength permits, let me mention that of a son to his father." 

" To your father !" said Noma, with a laugh that had something in 
it almost frantic. " Oh ! you know not how we can, in these islands, 
at once cancel such duties ! And for your father," she added, proceed- 
ing more calmly, " what has he done for you to deserve the regard and 
duty you speak of? Is he not the same who, as you have long since 
told me, left you for so many years poorly nourished among strangers, 
without inquiring whether you were alive or dead, and only sending, 
from time to time, supplies m such fashion as men relieve the leprous 
wretch to whom they fling alms from a distance ? And, in these later 
years, when he had made you the companion of his misery, he has been 
by starts your pedagogue, by starts your tormentor, but never, Mor- 
daunt, never your father. 

" Something of truth there is in what you say," replied Mordaunt : 
" my father is not fond ; but he is, and has ever been, effectively kind. 
Men have not their affections in their power ; and it is a child's duty to 
be grateful for the benefits which he receives, even when coldly be- 
stowed. My father has conferred instruction on me, and I am con- 
vinced he loves me. He is unfortunate : and, even if he loved me 
not " 

" And he does not love you," said Noma, hastily ; " he never loved 
anything, or any one, save himself. He is unfortunate, but well are 
his misfortunes deserved. Mordaunt, you have one parent only, — 
one parent, who loves you as the drops of the heart-blood !" 

" X know I have but one parent," replied Mordaunt ; " my mother 
has been long dead. But your words contradict each other." 

" They do not— they do not," said Noma, in a paroxysm of the 
deepest feeling ; " you have but one parent. Your unhappy mother is 
not dead — I would to God that she were ! — but she is not dead. Thy 
mother is the only parent that loves thee; and I— I, Mordaunt," 
throwing herself on his neck, " am that most unhappy — yet most happy 
mother." 

She closed him in a strict and convulsive embrace ; and tears, the 
first, perhaps, which she had shed for many years, burst in torrents as 
she sobbed on his neck. Astonished at what he heard, felt, and saw, 
—moved by the excess of her agitation, yet disposed to ascribe this burst 
of passion to insanity,— Mordaunt vainly endeavoured to tranquillize 
the mind of this extraordinary person. . 

" Ungrateful boy ! " she said, " who but a mother would have watched 
over thee as I have watched? From*the instant I saw thy father, 
when he little thought by whom he was observed, a space now many 
years back, I knew him well ; and, under his charge, I saw you, then a 
stripling,— while Nature, speaking loud in my bosom, assured me thou 



256 THE PIEATE. 



)ften yo 



wert blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. Think how often 
have wondered to see me, when least expected, in your places of pa; 
time and resort ! Think how often my eye has watched yon on tl 
giddy precipices, and muttered those charms which subdue the ev 
demons, who show themselves to the climber on the giddiest point of h 
path, and force him to quit his hold ! Did I not hang around thy necl 
in pledge of thy safety, that chain of gold, which an Elfin King ga^ 
to the founder of our race ? "Would I have given that dear gift to an 
but to the son of my bosom ? — Mordaunt, my power has done that ft 
thee that a mere mortal mother woidd dread to think of. I ha\ 
conjured the Mermaid at midnight that thy bark might be prospe: 
ous on the Haaf ! I have hushed the winds ? and navies have nappe 
their empty sails against the mast in inactivity, that you might safe] 
indulge your sport upon the crags ! " 

Mordaunt, perceiving that she was growing yet wilder in her tall 
endeavoured to frame an answer winch should be at once indulgen 
soothing, and calculated to allay the rising warmth of her imaginatioi 

" Dear Noma," he said, " I have indeed many reasons to call yo 
mother, who have bestowed so many benefits upon me ; and from m 
you shall ever receive the affection and duty of a child. But the chai 
you mentioned, it has vanished from my neck — I have not seen it sine 
the ruffian stabbed me." 

" Alas ! and can you think of it at this moment ? " said Noma, in 
sorrowful accent. — " But be it so ; — and know, it was I took it from th 
neck, and tied it around the neck of her who is dearest to you ; in toke 
that the union betwixt you, which has been the only earthly wish whic 
I have had the power to form, shall yet, even yet, be accomplished- 
ay, although hell should open to forbid the banns ! " 

" Alas ! " said Mordaunt, with a sigh, " you remember not the dil 
ference betwixt our situation — her father is wealthy, and of ancier. 
birth." 

" Not more wealthy than will be the heir of Noma of Fitful 
head," answered the Pythoness — " not of better or more ancient bloo 
than that which flows in thy veins, derived from thy mother, the de 
scendant of the same Jarls and Sea-kings from whom Magnus boast 
his origin. — Or dost thou think, like the pedant and fanatic strangei 
who have come amongst us, that thy blood is dishonoured because m • 
union with thy father did not receive the sanction of a priest? — Knou 
that we were wedded after the ancient manner of the Norse— our hand 
were clasped within the circle of Odin, 1 with such deep vows of eternr 
fidelity as even the laws of these usurping Scots would have sanctione 
as equivalent to a blessing before the altar. To the offspring of such 
union Magnus has nought to object. It was weak — it was criminal o 
my part, but it conveyed no infamy to the birth of my son." 

The composed and collected manner in which Noma argued thes I 
points began to impose upon Mordaunt an incipient belief in the trut. 
of what she said ; and, indeed, she added so many circumstances, satis 
factorily and rationally connected with each other, as seemed to_confi.it 
the notion that her storv was altogether the delusion of that insanit; 
which sometimes showed itself in her speech and actions. A thousan 

1 See an explanation of this promise, Note T. 



THE PIRATE. 257 

confused ideas rushed upon him, when he supposed it possible that the 
unhappy person before him might actually have a right to claim from 
him the respect and affection due to a parent from a son. He could 
only surmount them by turning his mind to a different, and scarce less 
interesting topic, resolving within himself to take time for farther in- 
quiry and mature consideration, ere he either rejected or admitted the 
claim which Noma preferred upon his affection and duty. His benefac- 
tress, at least, she undoubtedly was, and he could not err in paying her, 
as such, the respect and attention due from a son to a mother ; and so 
far, therefore, he might gratify Noma without otherwise standing com- 
mitted. 

" And do you then really think, my mother, — since so you bid me 
term you," — said Mordaunt, " that the proud Magnus Troil may, by 
any inducement, be prevailed upon to relinquish the angry feelings 
which he has of late adopted towards me, and to permit my addresses 
to his daughter Brenda ? " 

" Brenda ? " repeated Noma — " who talks of Brenda 1 — it is of Minna 
that I spoke to you." 

"But it was of Brenda that I thought," replied Mordaunt, " of her 
that I now think, and of her alone that I will ever think." 

" Impossible, my son ! " replied Noma. " You cannot be so dull 
Df heart, so poor of spirit, as to prefer the idle mirth and housewife 
simplicity of the younger sister, to the deep feeling and high mind of the 
loble-spirited Minna! Who would stoop to gather the lowly violet, 
;hat might have the rose for stretching out his hand ! " 

" Some think the lowliest flowers are the sweetest," replied Mordaunt, 
' and in that faith will I live and die." 

" You dare not tell me so !" answered Noma, fiercely ; then, instantly 
;hanging her tone, and taking his hand in the most affectionate manner, 
she proceeded : — " You must not — you will not tell me so, my dear son 
—you will not break a mother's heart in the very first hour in which 
;he has embraced her child ! — Nay, do not answer, but hear me. You 
must wed Minna — I have bound around her neck a fatal amulet, on 
vhich the happiness of both depends. The labours of my life have for 
rears had this direction. Thus it must be, and not otherwise — Minna 
naust be the bride of my son !" 

"But is not Brenda equally near, equally dear to you?" replied 
Mordaunt. 

" As near in blood," said Noma, " but not so dear, no, not half so 
dear in affection. Minna's mild, yet high and contemplative spirit, 
renders her a companion meet for one, whose ways, like mine, are be- 
yond the ordinary paths of this world. Brenda is a thing of common 
md ordinary life, an idle laugher and scoffer, who would level art 
vith ignorance, and reduce power to weakness, by disbelieving and 
turning into ridicule whatever is beyond the grasp of her shallow in- 
tellect." 

"She is, indeed," answered Mordaunt, "neither superstitious nor 
mthusiastic, and I love her the better for it. Remember also, my 
'nother, that she returns my affection, and that Minna, if she loves any 
me. loves the stranger Cleveland." 

" She does not— she dares not," answered Noma, " nor dares he pur- 



258 THE PIRATE. 

sue her farther. I told him, when first he came to Burgh-Westr* 
that I destined her for you." 

" And to that rash annunciation," said Mordaunt, " I owe this man' 
persevering enmity — my wound, and well-nigh the loss of my life. See, 
my mother, to what point your intrigues have already conducted us, 
and, in Heaven's name, prosecute them no farther !" 

It seemed as if this reproach struck Noma with the force, at once, 
and vivacity of lightning ; for she struck her forehead with her hand, 
and seemed about to drop from her seat. Mordaunt, greatly shocked, 
hastened to catch her in his arms, and, though scarce knowing what to 
say, attempted to utter some incoherent expressions. 

"Spare me, Heaven, spare me!" Avere the first words which she 
muttered; "do not let my crime be avenged by his means! — Yes, 
young man," she said, after a pause, " you have dared to tell what I 
dared not tell myself. You have pressed that upon me, which, if it be 
truth, I cannot believe, and yet continue to live !" 

Mordaunt in vain endeavoured to interrupt her with protestations of 
his ignorance how he had offended or grieved her, and of his extreme 
regret that he had unintentionally done either. She proceeded, while 
her voice trembled wildly, with vehemence. 

" Yes ! you have touched on that dark suspicion which poisons the 
consciousness of my power, — the sole boon which was given me in ex- 
change for innocence and for peace of mind ! Your voice joins that of 
the demon which, even while the elements confess me their mistress, 
whispers to me, 'Noma, this is but delusion — your power rests but 
in the idle belief of the ignorant, supported by a thousand petty 
artifices of your own.' — This is what Brenda says — this is what you 
would say ; and false, scandalously false, as it is, there are rebellious 
thoughts in this wild brain of mine" (touching her forehead with her 
finger as she spoke) "that, like an insurrection in an invaded country, 
arise to take part against their distressed sovereign. — Spare me, my 
son !" she continued, in a voice of supplication, " spare me ! — the sove- 
reignty of which your words would deprive me is no enviable exaltation. 
Few would covet to rule over gibbering ghosts, and howling winds, and 
raging currents. My throne is a cloud, my sceptre a meteor, my realm 
is only peopled with fantasies ; but I must either cease to be or con- 
tinue to be the mightiest as well as the most miserable of beings I" 1 

" Do not speak thus mournfully, my dear and unhappy benefactress," 
said Mordaunt much affected ; " I will think of your power whatever 
you would have me believe. But, for your own sake, view the matter 
otherwise. Turn your thoughts from such agitating and mystical studies 
— from such wild subjects of contemplation, into another and a better 
channel. Life will again have charms, and religion will have comforts 
for you." 

She listened to him with some composure, as if she weighed his 
counsel, and desired to be guided by it ; but, as he ended, she shook 
her head and exclaimed — 

"It cannot lie. I must remain the dreaded — the mystical — the 
Reimkennar— the controller of the elements, or I must be no more ! I 
have no alternative, no middle station. My post must be high on yon 
1 Sec Note Z. Character of Noma. 



THE PIRATE. 259 

iofty headland, where never stood human foot save mine— or I must 
sleep at the bottom of the unfathomable ocean, its white billows boom- 
ing over my senseless corpse. The parricide shall never also be de- 
nounced as the impostor !" 

" The parricide !" echoed Mordaunt, stepping back in horror. 

" Yes, my son !" answered Noma, with a stern composure, even more 
frightful than her former impetuosity, " within these fatal walls my 
father met his death by my means. In yonder chamber was he found 
a livid and lifeless corpse. Beware of filial disobedience, for such are 
its fruits!" 

So saying, she arose and left the apartment, where Mordaunt re- 
mained alone to meditate at leisure upon the extraordinary communi- 
cation which he had received. He himself had been taught by his 
father a disbelief in the ordinary superstitions of Zetland ; and he now 
saw that Noma, however ingenious in duping others, could not alto- 
gether impose on herself. This was a strong circumstance in favour of 
her sanity, of intellect ; but, on the other hand, her imputing to herself 
the guilt M parricide seemed so wild and improbable, as, in Mordaunt's 
opinion,A;o throw much doubt upon her other assertions. 

He WA leisure enough to make up his mind on these particulars, for 
no one' approached the solitary dwelling, of which Noma, her dwarf, 
and hf himself were the sole inhabitants. The Hoy island in which it 
stood xs rude, bold, and lofty, consisting entirely of three hills — or ra- 
ther me huge mountain divided into three summits, with the chasms, 
rents, and valleys, which descend from its summit to the sea, while its 
crest, rising to great height, and shivered into rocks which seem almost 
inaccessible, intercepts the mists as they drive from the Atlantic, and, 
often obscured from the human eye, forms the dark and unmolested 
retreat of hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. 1 

The soil of the island is wet, mossy, cold, and unproductive, present- 
ing a sterile and desolate appearance, excepting where the sides of small 
rivulets, or mountain ravines, are fringed with dwarf bushes of birch, 
hazel, and wild currant, some of them so tall as to be denominated 
trees in that bleak and bare country. 

But the view of the sea-beach, which was Mordaunt's favourite walk, 
when his convalescent state began to permit him to take exercise, had 
charms which compensated the wild appearance of the interior. A 
broad and beautiful sound, or strait, divides this lonely and mountain- 
ous island from Pomona, and in the centre of that sound lies, like a 
tablet composed of emerald, the beautiful and verdant little island of 
Graemsay. On the distant Mainland is seen the town or village of 
Stromness, the excellence of whose haven is generally evinced by a 
considerable number of shipping in the road-stead, and, from the bay 
growing narrower, and lessening as it recedes, runs inland into Pomona, 
where its tide fills the fine sheet of water called the Loch of Stennis. 

On this beach Mordaunt was wont to wander for hours, with an eye 
not insensible to the beauties of the view, though his thoughts were agi- 
tated with the most embarrassing meditations on his own situation. 
He was resolved to leave the island as soon as the establishment of his 
health should permit him to travel ; yet gratitude to Noma, of whom 

i See Note A A. Birds of prey. 



260 THE PIRATE. 

he was at least the adopted, if not the real son, would not allow him 
to depart without her permission, even if he could obtain means of 
conveyance, of which he saw little possibility. It was only by impor- 
tunity that he extorted from his hostess a promise that, if he would 
consent to regulate his motions according to her directions, she would 
herself convey him to the capital of the Orkney Islands, when the ap- 
proaching Fair of Saint Olla should take place there. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Hark to the insult loud, the hitter sneer, 
The fierce threat answering to the brutal jeer ; 
Oaths fly like pistol-shots, and vengeful words 
Clash with each other like conflicting swords. — 
The robber's quarrel by such sounds is shown, 
And true men have some chance to gain their own. 

Captivity, a Poem. 

When Cleveland, borne off in triumph from his assailants in Kirk- 
wall, found himself once more on board the pirate vessel, his arrival 
was hailed with hearty cheers by a considerable part of the crew, who 
rushed to shake hands with him, and offer their congratulations on his 
return ; for the situation of a Bucanier Captain raised him very little 
above the level with the lowest of his crew, who, in all social inter- 
course, claimed the privilege of being his equal. 

When his faction, for so these clamorous friends might be termed, 
had expressed their own greetings, they hurried Cleveland forward to 
the stern, where Goffe, their present commander, was seated on a gun, 
listening in a sullen and discontented manner to the shout which an- 
nounced Cleveland's welcome. He was a man betwixt forty and fifty, 
rather under the middle size, but so very strongly made that his crew 
used to compare him to a sixty-four cut down. Black-haired, bull- 
necked, and beetle-browed, his clumsy strength and ferocious counte- 
nance contrasted strongly with the manly figure and open countenance 
of Cleveland, in which even the practice of his atrocious profession had 
not been able to eradicate a natural grace of motion and generosity of 
expression. The two piratical Captains looked upon each other for 
some time in silence, while the partisans of each gathered around him. 
The elder part of the crew were the principal adherents of Goffe, while 
the young fellows, amongst whom Jack Bunce was a principal leader 
and agitator, were in general attached to Cleveland. 

At length Goffe broke silence. " You are welcome aboard, Captain 
Cleveland. — Smash my taffrail ! I suppose you think yourself commo- 
dore yet! but that was over, by G — , when you lost your ship, and 
be d— d !" 

And here, once for all, we may take notice, that it was the gracious 
custom of this commander to mix his words and oaths in nearly equal 
proportions, which he was wont to call shotting his discourse. As we 
delight not, however, in the discharge of such artillery, we shall only 

indicate by a space like this the places in which these expletives 

occurred ; and thus, if the reader will pardon a very poor pun, we will 



THE PIRATE. 261 

reduce Captain Goffe' s volley of sharp-shot into an explosion of blank 
cartridges. To his insinuations that he was come on board to assume 
the chief command, Cleveland replied that he neither desired, nor would 
accept, any such promotion, but would only ask Captain Goffe for a 
cast of the boat, to put him ashore in one of the other islands, as he 
had no wish either to command Goffe or to remain in a vessel under 
his orders. 

"And why not under my orders, brother?" demanded Goffe, very 
austerely ; " are you too good a man, with your cheese- 
toaster and your gib there, to serve under my orders, and be 

d — d to you, where there are so many gentlemen that are elder and 
better seamen than yourself f 

" I wonder which of these capital seamen it was," said Cleveland, 
coolly, " that laid the ship under the fire of yon six-gun battery, that 
could blow her out of the water, if they had a mind, before you could 
either cut or slip ? Elder and better sailors than I may like to serve 
under such a lubber, but I beg to be excused for my own share, Cap- 
tain — that's all I have got to tell you." 

" By G — , I think you are both mad !" said Hawkins the boatswain 
— " a meeting with sword and pistol may be devilish good fun in its 
way, when no better is to be had ; but who the devil that had common 
sense, amongst a set of gentlemen in our condition, would fall a- 
quarrelling with each other, to let these duck-winged, web-footed 
islanders have a chance of knocking us all upon the head !" 

" Well said, old Hawkins !" said Derrick the quarter-master, who 
was an officer of very considerable importance among these rovers ; 
" I say, if the two captains won't agree to live together quietly, and 
club both heart and head to defend the vessel, why, d — n me, depose 
them both, say I, and choose another in their stead !" 

" Meaning yourself, I suppose, Master Quarter-Master !" said Jack 
Bunce ; " but that cock won't fight. He that is to command gentle- 
men should be a gentleman himself, I think ; and I give my vote for 
Captain Cleveland, as spirited and as gentleman-like a man as ever 
daffed the world aside, and bid it pass !" 

" What ! you call yourself a gentleman, I warrant !" retorted Der- 
rick ; " why your eyes ! a tailor would make a better out of the 

worst suit of rags in your strolling wardrobe ! — It is a shame for men 
of spirit to have such a Jack-a-dandy scarecrow on board !" 

Jack Bunce was so incensed at these base comparisons that, without 
more ado, he laid his hand on his sword. The carpenter, however, and 
boatswain interfered, the former brandishing his broad axe, and swear- 
ing he would put the skull of the first who should strike a blow past 
clouting, and the latter reminding them that, by their articles, all 
quarrelling, striking, or more especially fighting on board, was strictly 
prohibited ; and that, if any gentleman had a quarrel to settle, they 
were to go ashore and decide it with cutlass and pistol in presence of 
two of their messmates. 

" I have no quarrel with any one, !" said Goffe, sullenly ; 

"Cantain Cleveland has wandered about among the islands here 

amusing himself, ! and we have wasted our time and pronerty 

in waiting for him, when we might have been adding twenty or thirty 



262 THE PIKATE. 

thousand dollars to the stock-purse. However, if it pleases the rest of 

the gentlemen-adventurers, ! why, I shall not grumble about 

it." 

" I propose," said the boatswain, " that there should be a general 
council called in the great cabin, according to our articles, that we may 
consider what course we are to hold in this matter." 

A general assent followed the boatswain's proposal ; for every one 
found his own account in these general councils, in which each of the 
rovers had a free vote. By far the greater part of the crew only valued 
this franchise, as it allowed them, upon such solemn occasions, an un- 
limited quantity of liquor — a right which they failed not to exercise to 
the uttermost by way of aiding their deliberations. But a few amongst 
the adventurers, who united some degree of judgment with the daring 
and profligate character of their profession, were wont, at such periods, 
to limit themselves within the bounds of comparative sobriety, and by 
these, under the apparent form of a vote of the general council, all 
things of moment relating to the voyage and undertakings of the 
pirates were in fact determined. The rest of the crew, when they re- 
covered from their intoxication, were easily persuaded that the resolu- 
tion adopted had been the legitimate effort of the combined wisdom of 
the whole senate. 

Upon the present occasion the debauch had proceeded until the 
greater part of the crew were, as usual, displaying inebriation in all its 
most brutal and disgraceful shapes — swearing empty and unmeaning 
oaths— venting the most horrid imprecations in the mere gaiety of their 
heart — singing songs, the ribaldry of which was only equalled by their 
profaneness ; and, from the middle of this earthly hell, the two captains, 
together with one or two of their principal adherents, as also the car- 
penter and boatswain, who always took a lead on such occasions, had 
drawn together into a pandemonium or privy council of their own, to 
consider what was to be done ; for, as the boatswain metaphorically 
observed, they were in a narrow channel and behoved to keep sounding 
the tide-way. 

When they began their consultations, the friends of Goffe remarked, 
to their great displeasure, that he had not observed the wholesome 
rule to which we have just alluded ; but that, in endeavouring to drown 
his mortification at the sudden appearance of Cleveland, and the re- 
ception he met with from the crew, the elder Captain had not been able 
to do so without overflowing his reason at the same time. His natural 
sullen taciturnity had prevented this from being observed until the 
council began its deliberations, when it proved impossible to hide it. 

The first person who spoke was Cleveland, who said, that so far from 
wishing the command of the vessel, he desired no favour at any one's 
hand, except to land him upon some island or holm at a distance from 
Kirkwall, and leave him to shift for himself. 

The boatswain remonstrated strongly against this resolution. " The 
lads," he said, " all knew Cleveland, and could trust his seamanship 
as well as his courage ; besides, he never let the grog get quite upper- 
most, and was always in proper trim either to sail the ship, or to fight 
the ship, whereby she was never without some one to keep her course 
when he was on board. — And as for the noble Captain Goffe," con- 



THE PIRATE. 263 

tinued the mediator, " he is as stout a heart as ever broke biscuit, and 
that I will uphold him ; but then, when he has his grog aboard — I 
speak to his face— he is so d— d funny with his cranks and his jests, 
that there is no living with him. You all remember how nigh he had 
run the ship on that cursed Horse of Copinsha, as they call it, just by 
way of frolic ; and then you know how he fired off his pistol under 
the table, when we were at the great council, and shot Jack Jenkins in 
the knee, and cost the poor devil his leg, with his pleasantry." ' 

" Jack Jenkins was not a chip the worse," said the carpenter ; " I 
took the leg off with my saw as well as any loblolly-boy in the land 
cculd have done— heated my broad axe, and seared the stump — ay, by 

! and made a jury-leg that he shambles about with as well as ever 

he did — for Jack could never cut a feather." 2 

" You are a clever fellow, carpenter," replied the boatswain, " a 
d — d clever fellow ! but I had rather you tried your saw and red-hot 
axe upon the ship's knee-timbers than on mine, sink me ! — But that 
here is not the case — The question is, if we shall part with Captain 
Cleveland here, who is a man of thought and action, whereby it is my 
belief it would be heaving the pilot overboard Avhen the gale is blowing 
on a lee-shore. And, I must say, it is not the part of a true heart to 
•leave his mates, who have been here waiting for him till they have 
missed stays. Our water is well-nigh out, and we have junketed till 
provisions are low with us. We cannot sail without provisions — we 
cannot get provisions without the good-will of the Kirkwall folks. If 
we remain here longer, the Halcyon frigate will be down upon us — she 
was seen off Peterhead two days since, — and we shall hang up at the 
yard-arm to_ be sun-dried. Now, Captain Cleveland will get us out of 
the hobble if any can. He can play the gentleman with these Kirk- 
wall folks, and knows how to deal with them on fair terms, and foul, 
too, if there be occasion for it." 

" And so you would turn honest Captain Goffe a-grazing, would ye ?" 
said an old weatherbeaten pirate, who had but one eye ; " what though 
he has his humours, and made my eye dowse the glim in his fancies 
and frolics, he is as honest a man as ever walked a quarter-deck, for all 
that ; and d— n me but I stand by him so long as t'other lantern is lit !" 

" Why, you would not hear me out," said Hawkins ; " a man might 
as well talk to so many negers ! — I tell you, I propose that Cleveland 
shall only be Captain from one, post meridiem, to five a. m., during 
which time Goffe is always drunk." 

The Captain of whom he last spoke gave sufficient proof of the truth 
of his words by uttering an inarticulate growl, and attempting to present 
a pistol at the mediator Hawkins. 

" Why, look ye now !" said Derrick, " there is all the sense he has, 
to get drunk on council day, like one of these poor silly fellows !" 

" Ay," said Bunce, " drunk as Davy's sow, in the face of the field, 
the fray, and the senate !" 

1 This was really an exploit of the celebrated Avery the pirate, who suddenly, and 
without provocation, fired his pistols under the table where he sat drinking with his 
messmates, wounded one man severely, and thought the matter a good jest. What is 
still more extraordinary, his crew regarded it in the same light. 

2 A ship going fast through the sea is said to cut a feather, alluding to the npple 
which she throws oif from her bows. " 



264 THE PIRATE. 



= 



" But, nevertheless," continued Derrick, " it will never do to havi 
two captains in the same day. I think week about might suit better- 
and let Cleveland take the first turn." 

" There are as good here as any of them," said Hawkins ; " how- 
somdever, I object nothing to Captain Cleveland, and I think he may 
help us into deep water as well as another." 

"Ay," exclaimed Bunce, "and a better figure he will make at 
bringing these Kirkwallers to order than his sober predecessor ! — So 
Captain Cleveland for ever !" 

" Stop, gentlemen," said Cleveland, who had hitherto been silent ; 
" I hope you will not choose me Captain without my own consent !" 

" Ay, by the blue vault of heaven will we," said Bunce, "if it be 
pro bono publico /" 

" But hear me, at least," said Cleveland — " I do consent to take 
command of the vessel, since you wish it, and because I see you will ill 
get out of the scrape without me." 

"Why, then, I say Cleveland for ever again !" shouted Bunce. 

" Be quiet, prithee, dear Bunce ! — honest Altamont !" said Cleve- 
land. — " I undertake the business on this condition : that, when I have 
got the ship cleared for her voyage, with provisions and so forth, you will 
be content to restore Captain Goffe to the command, as I said before, 
and put me ashore some where, to shift for myself — You will then be 
sure it is impossible I can betray you, since I will remain with you to 
the last moment." 

" Ay, and after the last moment, too, by the blue vault! or I mis- 
take the matter," muttered Bunce to himself. 

The matter was now put to the vote ; and so confident were the crew 
in Cleveland's superior address and management that the temporary 
deposition of Goffe found little resistance even among his own partisans, 
who reasonably enough observed, " He might at least have kept sober 
to look after his own business — E'en let him put it to rights again him- 
self next morning, if he will." 

But when the next morning came, the drunken part of the crew, 
being informed of the issue of the deliberations of the council, to which 
they were virtually held to have assented, showed such a superior sense 
of Cleveland's merits, that Goffe, sulky and malcontent as he was, 
judged it wisest for the present to suppress his feelings of resentment 
until a safer opportunity for suffering them to explode, and to submit 
to the degradation which so frequently took place among a piratical 
crew. 

Cleveland, on his part, resolved to take upon him, with spirit and 
without loss of time, the task of extricating his ship's company from 
their perilous situation. For this purpose, he ordered the boat, with 
the purpose of going ashore in person, carrying with him twelve of the 
stoutest and best men of the snip's company, all very handsomely ap- 
pointed (for the success of their nefarious profession had enabled the 
pirates to assume nearly as gay dresses as their officers), and, above 
all, each man being sufficiently armed with cutlass and pistols, and 
several having pole-axes and poniards. 

Cleveland himself was gallantly attired in a blue coat lined with 
crimson silk, and laced with gold very richly, crimson damask waist- 



THE PIRATE. 265 

coat and breeches, a velvet cap, richly embroidered, with a white 
feather, white silk stockings, and red-heeled shoes, which were the ex- 
tremity of finery among the gallants of the day. He had a gold chain 
several times folded round his neck, which sustained a whistle of the 
same metal, the ensign of his authority. Above all. he wore a decora- 
tion peculiar to those daring depredators, who, besides one, or perhaps 
two, brace of pistols at their belt, had usually two additional brace, of 
the finest mounting and workmanship, suspended over their shoulders 
in a sort of sling or scarf of crimson ribbon. The hilt and mounting of 
the Captain's sword corresponded in value to the rest of his appoint- 
ments, and his natural good mein was so well adapted to the whole 
equipment that, when he appeared on deck, he was received with a gene- 
ral shout by the crew, who, as in other popular societies, judged a great 
deal by the eye. 

Cleveland took with him in the boat, amongst others, his predecessor 
in office, Goffe, who was also very richly dressed, but who, not having 
the advantage of such an exterior as Cleveland's, looked like a boorish 
clown in the dress of a courtier, or rather like a vulgar-faced footpad 
decked in the spoils of some one whom he has murdered, and whose claim 
to the property of his garments is rendered doubtful, in the eyes of all who 
look upon him, by the mixture of awkwardness, remorse, cruelty, and 
insolence which clouds his countenance. Cleveland probably chose to 
take Goffe ashore with him to prevent his having any opportunity, dur- 
ing his absence, to debauch the crew from their allegiance. In this 
guise they left the ship, and singing to their oars, while the water 
foamed higher at the chorus, soon reached the quay of Kirkwall. 

The command of the vessel was in the meantime intrusted to Bunce, 
upon whose allegiance Cleveland knew that he might perfectly depend, 
and, in a private conversation with him of some length, he gave him 
directions how to act in such emergencies as might occur. 

These arrangements being made, and Bunce having been repeatedly 
charged to stand upon his guard alike against the adherents of Goffe 
and any attempt from the shore, the boat put off. As she approached 
the harbour, Cleveland displayed a white flag, and could observe that 
their appearance seemed to occasion a good deal of bustle and alarm. 
People were seen running to and fro, and some of them appeared to be 
getting under arms. The battery was manned hastily, and the English 
colours displayed. These were alarming symptoms, the rather that 
Cleveland knew that, though there were no artillerymen in Kirkwall, 
yet there were many sailors perfectly competent to the management 
of great guns, and willing enough to undertake such service in case of 
need. _ 

Noting these hostile preparations with a heedful eye, but suffering 
nothing like doubt or anxiety to appear on his countenance, Cleveland 
ran the boat right for the quay, on which several people, armed with 
muskets, rifles, and fowlingpieces, and others with half-pikes and 
whaling-knives, were now assembled, as if to oppose his landing. Ap- 
parently, however, they had not positively determined what measures 
they were to pursue ; for when the boat reached the quay, those imme- 
diately opposite bore back, and suffered Cleveland and his party to leap 
ashore without hinderance. They immediately drew up on the quay, 



266 THE PIRATE. 

except two, who, as their Captain had commanded, remained in the 
boat, which they put off to a little distance ; a manoeuvre which, while 
it placed the boat (the only one belonging to the sloop) out of danger 
of oeing seized, indicated a sort of careless confidence m Cleveland and 
his party which was calculated to intimidate their opponents. 

The Kirkwallers, however, showed the old Northern blood, put a 
manly face upon the matter, and stood upon the quay with their arms 
shouldered, directly opposite to the rowers, and blocking up against them 
the street which leads to the town. 

Cleveland was the first who spoke, as the parties stood thus looking 
upon each other. — " How is this, gentlemen burghers ?" he said ; " are 
you Orkney folks turned Highlandmen, that you are all under arms so 
early this morning ; or have you manned the quay to give me the 
honour of a salute upon taking the command of my ship ?" 

The burghers looked on each other, and one of them replied to Cleve- 
land — " We do not know who you are ; it was that other man," point- 
ing to Goffe, " who used to come ashore as captain." 

" That other gentleman is my mate, and commands in my absence," 
said Cleveland ; — " but what is that to the purpose I I wish to speak 
with your Lord Mayor, or whatever you call him." 

" The Provost is sitting in council with the Magistrates," answered 
the spokesman. 

"So much the better," replied Cleveland. — "Where do their Worships 
meet ?" 

" In the Council-house," answered the other. 

" Then make way for us, gentlemen, if you please, for my people and 
I are going there." 

There was a whisper among the towns-people ; but several were un- 
resolved upon engaging in a desperate, and perhaps an unnecessary, 
conflict with desperate men'; and the more determined citizens formed 
the hasty reflection that the strangers might be more easily mastered 
in the house, or perhaps in the narrow streets which they had to tra- 
verse, than when they stood drawn up and prepared for battle uoon the 
quay. They suffered them, therefore, to proceed unmolested; and 
Cleveland, moving very slowly, keeping his people close together, 
suffering no one to press upon the flanks of his little detachment, and 
making four men, who constituted his rear-guard, turn round and face 
to the rear from time to time, rendered it, by his caution, a very danger- 
ous task to make any attempt upon them. 

In this manner they ascended the narrow street, and reached the 
Council-house, where the Magistrates were actually sitting, as the 
citizen had informed Cleveland. Here the inhabitants began to press 
forward, with the purpose of mingling with the pirates, and availing 
themselves of the crowd in the narrow entrance, to secure as many as 
they could, without allowing them room for the free use of tneir 
weapons. But this also had Cleveland foreseen, and, ere entering the 
council-room, he caused the entrance to be cleared and secured, com- 
manding four of his men to face down the street, and as many to con- 
front the crowd who were thrusting each other from above. The 
burghers recoiled back from the ferocious, swarthy, and sunburnt coun- 
tenances, as well as the levelled arms of these desperadoes, and Cleve- 



THE PIRATE. 267 

land, with the rest of his party, entered the council-room, where the 
Magistrates were sitting in council with very little attendance. These 
gentlemen were thus separated effectually from the citizens, who looked 
to them for orders, and were perhaps more completely at the mercy of 
Cleveland than he, with his little handful of men, could be said to be 
at that of the multitude by whom they were surrounded. 

The Magistrates seemed sensible of their danger ; for they looked 
upon each other in some confusion when Cleveland thus addressed 
them : — 

" Good morrow, gentlemen, — I hope there is no unkindness betwixt 
us. I am come to talk with you about getting supplies for my ship 
yonder in the roadstead — we cannot sail without them." 

" Your ship, sir ?" said the Provost, who was a man of sense and 
spirit, — " how do we know that you are her Captain?" 

" Look at me," said Cleveland, " and you will, I think, scarce ask 
the question again." 

The Magistrate looked at him, and accordingly did not think proper 
to pursue that part of the inquiry, but proceeded to say, — " And, if 
you are her,Captain ? whence comes she, and where is she bound for? 
You look too much like a man-of-war's man to be master of a trader, 
and we know that you do not belong to the British navy." 

" There are more men-of-war on the sea than sail under the British 
flag," replied Cleveland ; " but say that I Avere commander of a free- 
trader here, willing to exchange tobacco, brandy, gin, and such like, 
for cured fish and hides, why, I do not think I deserve so very bad 
usage from the merchants of Kirkwall as to deny me provisions for 
my money?" 

" Look you, Captain," said the Town-clerk, " it is not that we are 
so very strait-laced neither — for, when gentlemen of your cloth come 
this way, it is as weel, as I tauld the Provost, just to do as the collier 
did when he met the devil, — and that is, to have naething to say to 
them, if they have naething to say to us ; — and there is the gentle- 
man," pointing to Goffe, " that was Captain before you, and may be 
Captain after you" — ("The cuckold speaks truth in that," muttered 
Goffe), — " he knows well how handsomely we entertained him, till he 
and his men took upon them to run through the town like hellicat 
devils. — I see one of them there ! — that was the very fellow that stopped 
my servant- wench on the street, as she carried the lantern home before 
me, and insulted her before my face !" 

" If it please your noble Mayorship's honour and glory," said Der- 
rick, the fellow at whom the Town-clerk pointed, "it was not I that 
brought-to the bit of a tender that carried the lantern in the poop — it 
was quite a different sort of a person." 

" Who was it, then, sir?" said the Provost. 

" Why, please your majesty's worship," said Derrick ? making several 
sea bows, and describing as nearly as he could the exterior of the worthy 
Magistrate himself, "he was an elderly gentleman, — Dutch-built, 
round in the stern, with a white wig and a red nose — very like your 
majesty, I think ;" then, turning to a comrade, he added, " Jack, don't 
you think the fellow that wanted to kiss the pretty girl with the lantern 
t'other night was very like his worship ?" 



268 THE PIEATE. 

" By G— , Tom Derrick," answered the party appealed to, "I believe 
it is the very man !" 

"This is insolence which we can make you repent of, gentlemen!" 
said the Magistrate, justly irritated at their effrontery; "you have 
behaved in this town as if you were in an Indian village at Madagascar. 
You yourself, Captain, if captain you be, were at the head of another 
riot, no longer since than yesterday. We will give you no provisions till 
we know better whom we are supplying. And do not think to bully us ; 
when I shake this handkerchief out at the window, which is at my 
elbow, your ship goes to the bottom. Remember she lies under the 
guns of our battery." 

" And how many of these guns are honeycombed, Mr Mayor !" said 
Cleveland. He put the question by chance ; but instantly perceived, 
from a sort of confusion which the Provost in vain endeavoured to hide, 
that the artillery of Kirkwall was not in the best order. "Come, 
come, Mr Mayor," he said, " bullying will go down with us as little as 
with you. Your guns yonder will do more harm to the poor old sailors 
who are to work them than to our sloop ; and if we bring a broadside 
to bear on the town, why, your wives' crockery will be in some danger. 
And then to talk to us of seamen being a little frolicsome ashore, why, 
when are they otherwise 'I You have the Greenland whalers playing 
the devil among you every now and then; and the very Dutchmen cut 
capers in the streets of Kirkwall, like porpoises before a gale of wind. I 
am told you are a man of sense, and I am sure you and I could settle 
this matter in the course of a five-minutes' palaver." 

" Well, sir," said the Provost, " I will hear what you have to say, if 
you will walk this way." 

Cleveland accordingly followed him into a small interior apartment, 
and, when there, addressed the Provost thus : " I will lay aside my 
pistols, sir, if you are afraid of them." 

"D— n your pistols!" answered the Provost; "I have served the 
King, and fear the smell of powder as little as you do !" 

" So much the better," said Cleveland, " for you will hear me the 
more coolly. Now, sir, let us be what perhaps you suspect us, or let us 
be anything else, what, in the name of Heaven, can you get by keeping 
us here, but blows and bloodshed ? for which, believe me, we are much 
better provided than you can pretend to be. The point is a plain one — 
you are desirous to be rid of us— we are desirous to be gone. Let us 
have the means of departure, and we leave you instantly." 

" Look ye, Captain," said the Provost, " I thirst for no man'sblood. 
You are a pretty fellow, as there were many among the bucaniers in 
my time — but there is no harm in wishing you a better trade. You 
should have the stores and welcome, for your money, so you would make 
these seas clear of you. But then, here lies the rub. The Halcyon 
frigate is expected here in these parts immediately ; when she hears of 
you she will be at you ; for there is nothing the white lapelle loves 
netter than a rover — you are seldom without a cargo of dollars. Well, 
he comes down, gets you under his stern " 

" Blows us into the air, if you please," said Cleveland. 

" Nay, that must be as you please, Captain," said the Provost ; "but 
then, what is to come of the good town of Kirkwall, that has been 



THE PIRATE. 



packing and peeling with the King's enemies ! The burgh will be laid 
under a round fine, and it may be that the Provost may not come off 
so easily." 

" Well, then," said Cleveland, " I see where your pinch lies. Now, 
suppose that I run round this island of yours, and get into the road- 
stead at Stromness ? We could get what we want put on board there, 
without Kirkwall or the Provost seeming to have any hand in it ; or, 
if it should be ever questioned, your want of force, and our superior 
strength, will make a sufficient apology." 

" That may be," said the Provost ; "but if I suffer you to leave your 
present station and go elsewhere, I must have some security that you 
will not do harm to the country." 

" And we," said Cleveland, " must have some security on our side 
that you will not detain us, by dribbling out our time till the Halcyon 
is on the coast. Now, I am myself perfectly willing to continue on 
shore as a hostage, on the one side, provided you will give me your 
word not to betray me, and send some magistrate, or person of conse- 
quence, aboard the sloop, where his safety will be a guarantee for 
mine." 

The Provost shook his head, and intimated it would be difficult to 
find a person willing to place himself as hostage in such a perilous con- 
dition; but said he would propose the arrangement to such of the 
council as were fit to be trusted with a matter of such weight. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

"I left my poor plough to go ploughing the deep !" 

Dibdin. 

When the Provost and Cleveland had returned into the public 
council-room, the former retired a second time with such of his brethren 
as he thought proper to advise with ; and, while they were engaged in 
discussing Cleveland's proposal, refreshments were offered to him and 
his people. These the Captain permitted his people to partake of, but 
with the greatest precaution against surprisal, one party relieving the 
guard whilst the others were at their food. 

He himself, in the meanwhile, walked up and down the apartment, 
and conversed upon indifferent subjects with those present, like a per- 
son quite at his ease. 

Amongst these individuals he saw, somewhat to his surprise, Trip- 
tolemus Yellowley, who, chancing to be at Kirkwall, had been sum- 
moned by the Magistrates as representative, in a certain degree, of the 
Lord Chamberlain, to attend council on this occasion. Cleveland im- 
mediately renewed the acquaintance which he had formed with the 
agriculturist at Burgh-Westra, and asked him his present business in 
Orkney. 

" Just to look after some of my little plans, Captain Cleveland ; I 
am weary of fighting with wild beasts at Ephesus yonder, and I just 
cam ower to see how my orchard was thriving, whilk I had planted 



270 THE PIRATE. 

four or five miles from Kirkwall, it may be a year bygane, and how the 
bees were thriving, whereof I had imported nine skeps, for the improve- 
ment of the country, and for the turning of the heather-bloom into 
wax and honey." 

" And they thrive, I hope ?" said Cleveland, who, however little in- 
terested in the matter, sustained the conversation, as if to break the 
chilly and embarrassed silence which hung upon the company as- 
sembled. 

" Thrive !" replied Trintolemus ; " they thrive like everything else 
in this country, and that is the backward way." 

" Want of care, I suppose ?" said Cleveland. 

" The contrary, sir, quite and clean the contrary," replied the Factor ; 
"they died of ower muckle care, like Lucky Christie's chickens. I 
asked to see the skeps, and cunning and joyful did the fallow look who 
was to have taken care of them. ' Had there been onybody in charge 
but mysell.' he said, ' ye might have seen the skeps, or whatever you 
ca' them ; but there wad hae been as mony solan-geese as flees in them, 
if it hadna been for my four quarters ; for I watched them so closely, 
that I saw them a' creeping out at the little holes one sunny morning, 
and if I had not stopped the leak on the instant with a bit clay, the 
deil a bee, or flee, or whatever they are, would have been left in the 
skeps, as ye ca' them !' In a word, sir, he had clagged up the hives, 
as if the puir things had had the pestilence, and my bees were as dead 
as if they had been smeaked — and so ends my hope, generandi gloria 
mellis, as Virgilius hath it." 

" There is an end of your mead, then," replied Cleveland ; " but 
what is your chance of cider ? — How does the orchard thrive ? " 

" Captain ! this same Solomon of the Orcadian Ophir — I am sure 
no man need to send hither to fetch either talents of gold or talents of 
sense ? — I say, this wise man had watered the young anple-trees, in his 
great tenderness, with hot water, and they are perished, root and 
branch ! But what avails grieving ? — and I wish you would tell me, 
instead, what is all the din that these good folks are making about 
pirates ( and what for are all these ill-looking men, that are armed like 
so mony Highlandmen, assembled in the judgment-chamber? — for I 
am just come from the other side of the island, and I have heard no- 
thing distinct about it. — And, now I look at you yourself, Captain, I 
think you have mair of these foolish pistolets about you than should suffice 
an honest man in quiet times." 

" And so I think, too," said the pacific Triton, old Haagen, who had 
been an unwilling follower of the daring Montrose ; " if you had been 
in the Glen of Edderachyllis, when we were sae sair worried by Sir John 
Worry " 

" You have forgot the Avhole matter, neighbour Haagen," said the 
Factor ; "Sir John Urry was on your side and was ta'en with Montrose ; 
by the same token, he lost his head." 

"Did he?" said the Triton. — " I believe you may be right; for he 
changed sides mair than ance, and wha kens whilk he died for ? — But 
always he was there, and so was I ; — a fight there was, and I never wish 
to see another." 

The entrance of the Provost here interrupted their desultory conver- 



THE PIRATE. 271 

sation.— " We have determined," he said, "Captain, that your ship shall 
go round to Stromness, or Scalpa-flow, to take in stores, in order that 
there may be no more quarrels between the Fair folks and your seamen. 
And as you wish to stay on shore to see the Fair, we intend to send a 
respectable gentleman on board your vessel to pilot her round the Main- 
land, as the navigation is but ticklish." 

"Spoken like a quiet and sensible magistrate, Mr Mayor," said 
Cleveland, " and no otherwise than as I expected. — And what gentleman 
is to honour our quarter-deck during my absence ? " 

" We have fixed that, too, Captain Cleveland," said the Provost ; 
" you may be sure we were each more desirous than another to go upon so 
pleasant a voyage, and in such good company ; but being Fair time, 
most of us have some affairs on hand — I myself, in respect of my office, 
cannot be well spared — the eldest Bailie's wife is lying-in — the Treasurer 
does not agree with the sea — two Bailies have the gout — the other two 
are absent from town — and the other fifteen members of council are all 
engaged on particular business." 

" All that I can tell you, Mr Mayor," said Cleveland, raising his 
voice, "is, that I expect " 

" A moment's patience, if you please, Captain," said the Provost, 
interrupting him — " So that we have come to the resolution that our 
worthy Mr Triptolemus Yellowley, who is Factor to the Lord Cham- 
berlain of these islands, shall, in respect of his official situation, be 
preferred to the honour and pleasure of accompanying you." 

" Me ! " said the astonished Triptolemus ; " what the devil should 
I do going on your voyages? — my business is on dry land !" 

"The gentlemen want a pilot," said the Provost, whispering to 
him, " and there is no eviting to give them one." 

"Do they want to go bump on shore, then?" said the Factor — 
"how the devil should I pilot them, that never touched rudder in 
my life?" 

" Hush ! — hush ! — be silent ! " said the Provost ; " if the people of 
this town heard ye say such a word, your utility, and respect, and 
rank, and everything else, is clean gone!— No man is anything 
with us island folks, unless he can hand, reef, and steer. — Besides, 
it is but a mere form; and we will send old Pate Sinclair to help 
you. You will have nothing to do but to eat, drink, and be merry 
all day." 

" Eat and drink !" said the Factor, not able to comprehend exactly 
why this piece of duty was pressed upon him so hastily, and yet not very 
capable of resisting or extricating himself from the toils of the more 
knowing Provost—" Eat and drink ?— that is all very well ; but, to 
speak truth, the sea does not agree with me any more than with the 
Treasurer ; and I have always a better appetite for eating and drink- 
ing ashore." 

" Hush ! hush ! hush ! " again said the Provost, in an under-tone of 
earnest expostulation ; " would you actually ruin your character out and 
out ?— A Factor of the High Chamberlain of the Isles of Orkney and 
Zetland, and not like the sea ! — you might as well say you are a High- 
lander, and do not like whisky ? " ' 

" You must settle it somehow, gentlemen," said Captain Cleveland ; 



• 



272 THE PIRATE. 

" it is time we were under weigh. — Mr Triptolemus Yellowley, are we 
be honoured with your company ? " 

. " I am sure, Captain Cleveland," stammered, the Factor, " I wou 
have no objection to go anywhere with you — only " 

" He has no objection," said the Provost, catching at the first li 
of the sentence, without awaiting the conclusion. 

"He has no objection," cried the Treasurer. 

"He has no objection," sung out the whole four Bailies together, 
and the fifteen Councillors, all catching up the same phrase of as- 
sent, repeated it in chorus, with the additions of — "good man" — 
' ' public-spirited' ' — ' ' honourable gentleman" — ' ' burgh eternally obi iged' 
— " where will you find such a worthy Factor?" and so forth. 

Astonished and confused at the praises with which he was over- 
whelmed on all sides, and in no shape understanding the nature of the 
transaction that was going forward, the astounded and overwhelmed 
agriculturist became incapable of resisting the part of the Kirkwall 
Curtius thus insidiously forced upon him, and was delivered up by Cap- 
tain Cleveland to his party, with the strictest injunctions to treat him 
with honour and attention. Goffe and his companions began now to 
lead him off, amid the applauses of the whole meeting, after the man- 
ner in which the victim of ancient days was garlanded and greeted by 
shouts, when consigned to the priests for the purpose of being led to the 
altar and knocked on the head, a sacrifice for the common weal. It 
was while they thus conducted, and in a manner forced him out of the 
Council-chamber, that poor Triptolemus, much alarmed at finding that 
Cleveland, in whom he had some confidence, was to remain behind the 
party, tried, when just going out at the door, the effect of one remon- 
strating bellow. — " Nay, but Provost ! — Captain ! — Bailies ! — Trea- 
surer ! — Councillors ! — if Captain Cleveland does not go aboard to pro- 
tect me, it is nae bargain, and go I will not, unless I am trailed with 
cart-ropes !" 

His protest was, however, drowned in the unanimous chorus of the 
Magistrates and Councillors returning him thanks for his public spirit 
— wishing him a good voyage — and praying to Heaven for his happy 
and speedy return. Stunned and overwhelmed, and thinking, if he had 
any distinct thoughts at all, that remonstrance was vain, where friends 
and strangers seemed alike determined to carry the point against him, 
Triptolemus, without farther resistance, suffered himself to be conducted 
into the street, where the pirate's boat's crew, assembling around him, 
began to move slowly towards the quay, many of the townsfolk follow- 
ing out of curiosity, but without any attempt at interference or annoy- 
ance ; for the pacific compromise which the dexterity of the first Ma- 
gistrate had achieved was unanimously approved of as a much better 
settlement of the disputes betwixt them and the strangers than might 
have been attained by the dubious issue of an appeal to arms. 

Meanwhile, as they went slowly along, Triptolemus had time to studyj 
the appearance, countenance, and dress of those into whose hands hel 
had been thus delivered, and began to imagine that he read in theirl 
looks not only the general expression of a desperate character, but some! 
sinister intentions directed particularly towards himself. He wasT 
alarmed by the truculent looks of Goffe, in particular, who, holding his 






THE PIRATE. 273 

arm with a gripe which resembled in delicacy of touch the compression 
of a smith's vice, cast on him from the outer corner of his eye oblique 
glances, like those which the eagle throws upon the prey which she has 
clutched, ere yet she proceeds, as it is technically called, to plume it. 
At length Yellowley's" fears got so far the better of his prudence, that 
he fairly asked his terrible conductor, in a sort of crying Avhisper, "Are 
you going to murder me, Captain, in the face of the laws baith of God 
and man ?" 

" Hold your peace, if you are wise," said GofFe, who had his own 
reasons for desiring to increase the panic of his captive ; " we have not 
murdered a man these three months, and why should you put us in 
mind of it ?" 

" You are but joking, I hope, good worthy Captain," replied Tripto- 
lemus. " This is worse than witches, dwarfs, dirking of whales, and 
cowping of cobles put all together ! — this is an away-ganging crop with 
a vengeance ! — What good, in Heaven's name, would murdering me do 
to you ?" 

" We might have some pleasure in it, at least," said Goffe. — " Look 
these fellows in the face, and see if you see one among them that would 
not rather kill a man than let it alone l— But we will speak more of 
that when you have first had a taste of the bilboes — unless, indeed, yon 
come down with a handsome round handful of Chili boards x for your 
ransom." 

" As I shall live Joy bread, Captain," answered the Factor, " that 
misbegotten dwarf has carried off the whole hornful of silver !" 

" A cat-and-nine-tails will make you find it again," said Goffe, 
gruffly ; " flogging and pickling is an excellent recipe to bring a man's 
wealth into his mind — twisting a bowstring round his skull till the eyes 
start a little is a very good remembrancer too." 

"Captain," replied Yellowley, stoutly, " I have no money — seldom 
can improvers have. — We turn pasture to tillage, and barley into aits, 
and heather into greensward, and the poor yarpha, as the benighted 
creatures here call their peat-bogs, into baittle grass-land ; but we 
seldom make anything of it that comes back to our ain pouch. — The 
carles and the cart-avers make it all, and the carles and the cart-avers 
eat it all, and the deil clink doun with it !" 

" Well, well," said Goffe, " if you be really a poor fellow, as you 
pretend, I'll stand your friend ;" then, inclining his head so as to reach 
the ear of the Factor, who stood on tiptoe with anxiety, he said, " If 
you love your life, do not enter the boat wjth us." 

" But how am I to get away from you while you hold me so fast by 
the arm, that I could not get off if the whole year's crop of Scotland 
depended on it V 

"Hark ye, you gudgeon," said Goffe, "just when you come to the 
water's edge, and when the fellows are jumping in and taking their 
oars, slue yourself round suddenly to the larboard — I will let go youi 
arm— and then cut and run for your life !" 

Triptolemus did as he was desired ; Goffe' s willing hand relaxed the 
grasp as he had promised ; the agriculturist trundled off like a football 
that has just received a strong impulse from the foot of one of the 

1 Commonly called, by landsmen, Spanish dollars. 



274 THE PIRATE. 

players, and, with celerity which surprised himself as well as all be- 
holders, fled through the town of Kirkwall. Nay, such was the impetus 
of his retreat, that, as if the grasp of the pirate was still open to pounce 
upon him, he never stopped till he had traversed the whole town, and 
attained the open country on the other side. They who had seen him 
that day— his hat and wig lost in the sudden effort he had made to bolt 
forward, his cravat awry, and his waistcoat unbuttoned — and who had 
an opportunity of comparing his round spherical form and short legs 
with the portentous speed at which he scoured through the street, 
might well say, that if Fury ministers arms, Fear confers wings. His 
very mode of running seemed to be that peculiar, to his fleecy care, for, 
like a ram in the midst of his race, he ever and anon encouraged him- 
self by a great bouncing attempt at a leap, though there were no ob- 
stacles in his way. 

There was no pursuit after the agriculturist ; and though a musket 
or two were presented, for the purpose of sending a leaden messenger 
after him, yet Goffe turning peace-maker for once in his life so exagge- 
rated the dangers that would attend a breach of the truce with the 
people of Kirkwall, that he prevailed upon the boat's crew to forbear 
any active hostilities, and to pull off for their vessel with all despatch. 

The burghers, who regarded the escape of Triptolemus as a triumph 
on their side, gave the boat three cheers, by way of an insulting fare- 
well; while the Magistrates, on the other hand, entertained great 
anxiety respecting the probable consequences of this breach of articles 
between them and the pirates ; and, could they have seized upon the 
fugitive very privately, instead of complimenting him with a civic feast 
in honour of the agility which he displayed, it is likely they might 
have delivered the runaway hostage once more into_ the hands of his 
foemen. But it was impossible to set their face publicly to such an act 
of violence, and therefore they contented themselves with closely watch- 
ing Cleveland, whom they determined to make responsible for any 
aggression which might be attempted by the pirates. Cleveland, on 
his part, easily conjectured that the motive which Goffe had for suffer- 
ing his hostage to escape was to leave him answerable for all conse- 
quences, and, relying more on the attachment and intelligence of his 
friend and adherent, Frederick Altamont, alias Jack Bunce, than on 
anything else, expected the result with considerable anxiety, since the 
Magistrates, though they continued to treat him with civility, plainly 
intimated they would regulate his treatment by the behaviour of the 
crew, though he no longer commanded them. 

It was not, however, without some reason that he reckoned on the 
devoted fidelity of Bunce ; for no sooner did that trusty adherent re- 
ceive from Goffe and the boat's crew the news of the escape of Trip- 
tolemus, than he immediately concluded it had been favoured by the 
late Captain, in order that, Cleveland being either put to death or 
consigned to hopeless imprisonment, Goffe might be called upon to 
resume the command of the vessel. 

" But the drunken old boatswain shall miss his mark," said Bunce 
to his confederate Fletcher ; " or else I am contented to quit the name 
of Altamont, and be called Jack Bunce, or Jack Dunce, if you like it 
better, to the end of the chapter." 



the pirate; 275 

Availing himself accordingly of a sort of nautical eloquence, which 
his enemies termed slack-jaw, Bunce set before the crew, in a most 
animated manner, the disgrace which they all sustained by their Cap- 
tain remaining, as he was pleased to term it, in the bilboes, without 
any hostage to answer for his safety ; and succeeded so far that, besides 
exciting a good deal of discontent against Goffe, he brought the crew 
to the resolution of seizing the first vessel of a tolerable appearance, 
and declaring that the ship, crew, and cargo should be dealt with ac- 
cording to the usage which Cleveland should receive on shore. It was 
judged at the same time proper to try the faith of the Orcadians by 
removing from the roadstead of Kirkwall, and going round to that of 
Stromness, where, according to the treaty betwixt Provost Torfe and 
Captain Cleveland, they were to victual their sloop. They resolved, in 
the meantime, to intrust the command of the vessel to a council, con- 
sisting of Goffe, the boatswain, and Bunce himself, until Cleveland 
should be in a situation to resume his command. 

These resolutions having been proposed and acceded to, they weighed 
anchor, and got their sloop under sail, without experiencing any oppo- 
sition or annoyance from the battery, which relieved them of one im- 
portant apprehension incidental to their situation. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Clap on more sail, pursue, up with your fights, 
Give fire — she is my prize, or ocean whelm them all! 

Shakspeaee. 

A very handsome brig, which, with several other vessels, was the 

Eroperty of Magnus Troil, the great Zetland Udaller, had received on 
oard that magnate himself, his two lovely daughters, and the facetious 
Claud Halcro, who, for friendship's sake chiefly, and the love of beauty 
proper to his poetical calling, attended them on their journey from 
Zetland to the capital of Orkney, to which Noma had referred them, 
as the place where her mystical oracles should at length receive a satis- 
factory explanation. 

They passed, at a distance, the tremendous cliffs of the lonely spot 
of earth called the Fair Isle, which, at an equal distance from either 
archipelago, lies in the sea which divides Orkney from Zetland ; and at 
length, after some baffling winds, made the Start of Sanda. Off the 
headland so named, they became involved in a strong current, well 
known by those who frequent these seas as the Roost of the Start, 
which carried them considerably out of their course, and, joined to an 
adverse wind, forced them to keep on the east side of the island of 
Stronsa, and finally compelled them to lie by for the night in Papa 
Sound, since the navigation in dark or thick weather, amongst so many 
low islands, is neither pleasant nor safe. 

On the ensuing morning they resumed their voyage under more 
favourable auspices ; and coasting along the island of Stronsa, whose 
flat, verdant, and comparatively fertile shores formed a strong contrast 



276 THE PIRATE. 

to the dun hills and dark cliff's of their own islands, they doubled the 
cape called the Lamb-head, and stood away for Kirkwall. 

They had scarce opened the beautiful bay betwixt Pomona and 
Shapinsha, and the sisters were admiring the massive church of Saint 
Magnus, as it was first seen to rise from amongst the inferior buil dings 
of Kirkwall, when the eyes of Magnus and of Claud Halcro were at- 
tracted by an object which they thought more interesting. This was 
an armed sloop, with her sails set, which had just left the anchorage in 
the bay, and was running before the wind by which the brig of the 
Udaller was beating in. 

" A tight thing that, by my ancestors' bones !" said the old Udaller ; 
" but I cannot make out of what country, as she shows no colours. 
Spanish built, I should think her." 

" Ay, ay," said Claud Halcro, " she has all the look of it. She runs 
before the wind that we must battle with, which is the wonted way of 
the world. As glorious John says, — 

4 With roomy deck, and guns of mighty strength, 

Whose low-laid mouths each mountain billow laves, 
Deep in her draught and warlike in her length, 
She seems a sea-wasp flying on the waves.' " 

Brenda could not help telling Halcro, when he had spouted this 
stanza with great enthusiasm, " that though the description was more 
like a first-rate than a sloop, yet the simile of the sea- wasp served but 
indifferently for either." 

" A sea- wasp ?" said Magnus, looking with some surprise, as the 
sloop, shifting her course, suddenly bore down on them : " Egad, I 
wish she may not show us presently that she has a sting !" 

What the Udaller said in jest was fulfilled in earnest ; for, without 
hoisting colours or hailing, two shots were discharged from the sloop, 
one of which ran dipping and dancing upon the water, just ahead of 
the Zetlander's bows, while the other went through his main-sail. 

Magnus caught up a speaking-trumpet and hailed the sloop, to de- 
mand what she was, and what was the meaning of this unprovoked 
aggression. He was only answered by the stern command — " Down 
top-sails instantly, and lay your main-sail to the mast — you shall see 
who we are presently." 

There were no means within the reach of possibility by which 
obedience could be evaded, where it would instantly have been enforced 
by a broadside ; and, with much fear on the part of the sisters and 
Claud Halcro, mixed with anger and astonishment on that of the 
Udaller, the brig lay-to to await the commands of the captors. 

The sloop immediately lowered a boat, with six armed hands, com- 
manded by Jack Bunce, which rowed directly for their prize. As they 
approached her, Claud Halcro Avhispered to the Udaller — " If what we 
hear of bucaniers be true, these men, with their silk scarfs and vests, 
have the very cut of them." 

" My daughters ! my daughters !" muttered Magnus to himself, with 
such an agony as only a father could feel — " Go down below and hide 
yourselves, girls, while I " 

He threw down his speaking-trumpet and seized on a handspike, 
while his daughters, more afraid of the consequences of his fiery temper 



THE PIRATE. 277 

to himself than of anything else, hung round him, and begged him to 
make no resistance. Claud Halcro united his entreaties, adding, " It 
were best pacify the fellows with fair words. They might," he said, 
" be Dunkirkers, or insolent man-of-war' s-men on a frolic." 

" No, no," answered Magnus, " it is the sloop which the Jagger told 
us of. But I will take your advice — I will have patience for these girls' 
sakes; yet " 

He had no time to conclude the sentence, for Bunce jumped on 
board with his party, and drawing his cutlass struck it upon the com- 
panion-ladder, and declared the ship was theirs. 

" By what warrant or authority do you stop us on the high seas ?" 
said Magnus. 

" Here are half a dozen of warrants," said Bunce, showing the pistols 
which were hung round him, according to a pirate-fashion already 
mentioned, " choose which you like, old gentleman, and you shall have 
the perusal of it presently." 

" That is to say, you intend to rob us?" said Magnus. — " So be it — 
we have no means to help it— only be civil to the women, and take 
what you please from the vessel. There is not much, but I will and 
can make it worth more, if you use us well." 

" Civil to the women S" said Fletcher, who had also come on board 
with the gang — " when were we else than civil to them ? ay, and kind 
to boot? — Look here, Jack Bunce! — what a trim-going little thing 
here is !— By G — , she shall make a cruise with us, come of old Square- 
toes what will !" 

He seized upon the terrified Brenda with one hand, and insolently 
pulled back with the other the hood of the mantle in which she had 
muffled herself. 

" Help, father ! — help, Minna !" exclaimed the affrighted girl ; uncon- 
scious, at the moment, that they were unable to render her assistance. 

Magnus again uplifted the handspike, but Bunce stopped his hand. — 
" Avast, father !" he said, " or you will make a bad voyage of it pre- 
sently — And you, Fletcher, let go the girl !" 

" And, d — n me ! why should I let her go ?" said Fletcher. 

" Because I command you, Dick," said the other, " and because I'll 
make it a quarrel else. — And now let me know, beauties, is there one 
of you bears that queer heathen name of Minna, for which I have a 
certain sort of regard ?" 

" Gallant sir !" said Halcro, " unquestionably it is because you have 
some poetry in your heart." 

" I nave had enough of it in my mouth in my time," answered Bunce ; 
" but that day is by, old gentleman — however, I shall soon find out 
which of these girls is Minna. — Throw back your mufflings from your 
faces, and don't be afraid, my Lindamiras ; no one here shall meddle 
with you to do you wrong. On my soul, two pretty wenches ! — I wish 
I were at sea in an egg-shell, and a rock imder my lee-bow, if I would 
wish a better leaguer-lass than the worst of them ! — Hark you, my girls ; 
which of you would like to swing in a rover's hammock ? — you should 
have gold for the gathering !" 

The terrified maidens clung close together, and grew pale at the bold 
and familiar language of the desperate libertine. 



278 THE PIRATE. 

" Nay, don't be frightened," said he ; "no one shall serve under the 
noble Altamont but by her own free choice — there is no pressing amongst 
gentlemen of fortune. And do not look so shy upon me neither, as if 
I spoke of what you never thought of before. One of you, at least, has 
heard of Captain Cleveland, the Rover." 

Brenda grew still paler, but the blood mounted at once in Minna's 
cheeks, on hearing the name of her lover thus unexpectedly introduced ; 
for the scene was in itself so confounding, that the idea of the vessel's 
being the consort of which Cleveland had spoken at Burgh-Westra had 
occurred to no one save the Udaller. 

" I see how it is," said Bunce, with a familiar nod, " and I will hold 
my course accordingly. — You need not be afraid of any injury, father," 
he added, addressing Magnus familiarly ; " and though I have made 
many a pretty girl pay tribute in my time, yet yours shall go ashore 
without either wrong or ransom." 

" If you will assure me of that," said Magnus, "you are as welcome 
to the brig and cargo as ever I made man welcome to a can of punch." 

u And it is no bad thing that same can of punch," said Bunce, " if 
we had any one that could mix it well." 

" I will do it," said Claud Halcro, " with any man that ever squeezed 
lemon — Eric Scambester, the punch-maker of Burgh-Westra, being 
alone excepted." 

" And you are within a grapnel's length of him, too," said the Udaller. 
— " Go down below, my girls," he added, " and send up th<? rare old 
man and the punch-bowl." 

" The punch-bowl !" said Fletcher ; " I say, the bucket, d — n me ! — 
Talk of bowls in the cabin of a paltry merchantman, but not to gentle- 
men-strollers — rovers, I would say," correcting himself, as he observed 
that Bunce looked sour at the mistake. 

" And I say, these two pretty girls shall stay on deck, and fill my 
can," said Bunce ; " I deserve some attendance, at least, for all my 
generosity." 

"And they shall fill mine, too," said Fletcher — " they shall fill it to 
the brim !— and I will have a kiss for every drop they spill — broil me if 
I won't !" 

" Why, then, I tell you, you shan't !" said Bunce ; "for I'll be d — d 
if any one shall kiss Minna but one, and that's neither you nor I ; and 
her other little bit of a consort shall 'scape for company ; — there are 
plenty of willing wenches in Orkney. — And so, now I think on it, these 
girls shall go down below, and bolt themselves into the cabin ; and we 
shall have the punch up here on deck, al fresco, as the old gentleman 
proposes." 

" Why, Jack, I wish you knew your own mind," said Fletcher ; " I 
have been your messmate these two years, and I love you ; and yet flay 
me like a wild bullock, if you have not as many humours as a monkey ! 
—And what shall we have to make a little fun of, since you have sent 
the girls down below I" 

" Why, we will have Master Punch-maker here," answered Bunce, 
" to give us toasts, and sing us songs. — And, in the meantime, you 
there, stand by sheets and tacks, and get her under way !— and you, 
bteersman, as you would keep your brains in your skull, keep her under 



THE PIKATE. 279 

the stern or the sloop. — If you attempt to play us any trick, I will 
scuttle your sconce as if it were an old calabash ! >; 

The vessel was accordingly got under way, and moved slowly on in 
the wake of the sloop, which, as had been previously agreed upon, held 
her course not to return to the Bay of Kirkwall, but for an excellent 
roadstead called Inganess Bay, formed by a promontory which extends 
to the eastward two or three miles from the Orcadian metropolis, and 
where the vessels might conveniently lie at anchor, while the rovers 
maintained any communication with the Magistrates which the new 
state of things seemed to require. 

Meantime Claud Halcro had exerted his utmost talents in compound- 
ing a bucketful of punch for the use of the pirates, which they drank 
out of large cans ; the ordinary seamen, as well as Bunce and Fletcher, 
who acted as officers, dipping them into the bucket with very little 
ceremony, as they came and went upon their duty. Magnus, who was 
particularly apprehensive that liquor might awaken the brutal passions 
of these desperadoes, was yet so much astonished at the quantities 
which he saw them drink, without producing any visible effect upon 
their reason, that he could not help expressing his surprise to Bunce 
himself, who, Avild as he was, yet' appeared by far the most civil and 
conversable of his party, and whom he was, perhaps, desirous to con- 
ciliate, by a compliment of which all boon topers know the value. 

"Bones of Saint Magnus!" said the Udaller, "I used to think I 
took off my can like a gentleman ; but to see your men swallow, Captain, 
one would think their stomachs were as bottomless as the hole of Laifell 
in Foula, which I have sounded myself with a line of a hundred fathoms. 
By my soul, the Bicker of Saint Magnus were but a sip to them !" 

" In our way of life, sir," answered Bunce, " there is no stint till duty 
calls, or the puncheon is drunk out." 

" By my word, sir," said Claud Halcro, " I believe there is not one 
of your people but could drink out the mickle bicker of Scarpa, which 
was always offered to the Bishop of Orkney brimful of the best bummock 
that ever was brewed." 1 

" If drinking could make them bishops," said Bunce, " I should have 
a reverend crew of them ; but, as they have no other clerical qualities 
about them, I do not propose that they shall get drunk to-day ; so we 
will cut our drink with a song." 

"And I'll sing it, by !" said or swore Dick Fletcher, and in- 
stantly struck up the old ditty — 

" It was a ship, and a ship of fame, 
Launch'd off the stocks, hound for the main, 
With an hundred and tifty hrisk young men, 
All pick'd and chosen every one." 

" I would sooner be keel-hauled than hear that song over again," 
said Bunce ; "and confound your lantern jaws, you can squeeze nothing 
else out of them !" 

" By ," said Fletcher, " I will sing my song, whether you like it 

cr no ;" and again he sung, with the doleful tone of a north-easter 
whistling through sheet and shrouds, — 

1 Liquor brewed for a Christmas treat. 



2»V> THE PIRATE. 

" Captain Glen was our captain's name ; 
A very gallant and brisk young man ; 
As bold a sailor as e'er went to sea, 
And we were bound for High Barbary." 

" I tell you again," said Bunce, " we will have none of your screech- 
owl music here ; and I'll be d— d if you shall sit here and make that 
infernal noise !" 

'• Why, then, I'll tell you what," said Fletcher, getting up, " I'll sing 
when I walk about, and I hope there is no harm in that, Jack Bunce." 
And so, getting up from his seat, he began to walk up and down the 
sloop, croaking out his long and disastrous ballad. 

"You see how I manage them," said Bunce, with a smile of self- 
applause — " allow that fellow two strides on his own way, and you make 
a mutineer of him for life. But I tie him strict up, and he follows me 
as kindly as a fowler's spaniel after he has got a good beating. — And 
now your toast and your song, sir," addressing Halcro ; " or rather your 
song without your toast. I have got a toast for myself. Here is suc- 
cess to all roving blades, and confusion to all honest men !" 

" I should be sorry to drink that toast, if I could help it," said 
Magnus Troil. 

" What ! you reckon yourself one of the honest folks, I warrant ?" 
said Bunce. — " Tell me your trade, and I'll tell you what I think of it. 
As for the punch-maker here, I knew him at first glance to be a tailor, 
who has, therefore, no more pretensions to be honest than he has not 
to be mangy. But you are some High-Dutch skipper, I warrant me, 
that tramples on the cross when he is in Japan, and. denies his religion 
for a day's gain." 

" No," replied the Udaller, "lama gentleman of Zetland." 

" Oh, what !" retorted the satirical Mr Bunce, "you are come from 
the happy climate where gin is a groat a-bottle, and where there is 
daylight forever?" 

" At your service, Captain," said the Udaller, suppressing with much 
pain some disposition to resent these jests on his country, although 
under every risk, and at all disadvantage. 

" At my service !" said Bunce — " Ay, if there was a rope stretched 
from the wreck to the beach, you would be at my service to cut the 
hawser, makefloatsome and jetsome of ship and cargo, and well if you 
did not give me a rap on the head with the back of the cutty-axe ; and 
you call yourself honest? But never mind — here goes the aforesaid 
toast — and do you sing me a song, Mr Fashioner ; and look it be as 
good as your punch." 

Halcro, internally praying for the powers of a new Timotheus, to 
turn his strain and check his auditor's pride, as glorious John had. it, 
began a heart-soothing ditty with the following lines : — 

" Maidens fresh as fairest rose, 
Listen to this lay of mine." 

" I will hear nothing of maidens or roses," said Bunce ; " it puts me 

in mind what sort of a cargo we have got on board ; and, by , I will 

be true to my messmate and my captain as long as I can ! — And now 
I think on't, I'll have no more punch either — that last cup made inno- 



THE PIEATE. 281 

vation, and I am not to play Cassio to-night— and if I drink not, no- 
body else shall." 

So saying, he manfully kicked over the bucket, which, notwithstand- 
ing the repeated applications made to it, was still half full, got up from 
his seat, shook himself a little to rights, as he expressed it, cocked his 
hat, and, walking the quarter-deck with an air of dignity, gave, by 
word and signal, the orders for bringing the ships to anchor, which were 
readily obeyed by both, Goffe being then, in all probability, past any 
rational state of interference. 

The Udaller, in the meantime, condoled with Halcro on their situation. 
" It is bad enough," said the tough old Norseman ; for these are rank 
rogues — and yet, were it not for the girls, I should not fear them. That 
young vapouring fellow, who seems to command, is not such a born 
devil as he might have been." 

" He has queer humours, though," said Halcro ; "and I wish we were 
loose from him. To kick down a bucket half full of the best punch ever 
was made, and to cut me short in the sweetest song I ever wrote, — I pro- 
mise you, I do not know what he may do next, it is next door to madness." 

Meanwhile, the ships being brought to anchor, the valiant Lieutenant 
Bunce called upon Fletcher, and', resuming his seat by his unwilling 
passengers, he told them they should see what message he was about to 
send to the wittols of Kirkwall, as they were something concerned in it. 
" It shall run in Dick's name," he said, " as well as in mine. I love to 

S've the poor young fellow a little countenance now and then — don't I, 
ick, you d — d stupid ass !" 

" Why, yes, Jack Bunce," said Dick, "I can't say but as you do — 
only you are always bullocking one about something or other, too — 
but, howsomdever, d'ye see " 

" Enough said — belay your jaw. Dick," said Bunce, and proceeded 
to write his epistle, whichj being read aloud, proved to be of the follow- 
ing tenor : — " For the Mayor and Aldermen of Kirkwall — Gentlemen, 
As, contrary to your good faith given, you have not sent us on board a 
hostage for the safety of our Captain remaining on shore at your 
request, these come to tell you, we are not thus to be trifled with. We 
have already in our possession a brig, with a family of distinction, its 
owners and passengers ; and as you deal with our Captain so will we 
deal with them in every respect. And as this is the first, so assure 
yourselves it shall not be the last damage which we will do to your 
town and trade, if you do not send on board our Captain and supply us 
with stores according to treaty. 

"Given on board the brig Mergoose of Burgh-Westra, lying in 
Inganess Bay. Witness our hands, commanders of the Fortune's 
Favourite, and gentlemen adventurers." 

He then subscribed himself Frederick Altamont, and handed the 
letter to Fletcher, who read the said subscription with much difficulty; 
and, admiring the sound of it very much, swore he would have a new 
name himself, and the rather that Fletcher was the most crabbed word 
to spell and conster, he believed, in the whole dictionary. He sub- 
scribed himself accordingly, Timothy Tugmutton. 

"Will you not add a few lines to the coxcombs?" said Bunce, 
addressing Magnus. 



282 THE PIRATE. 

" Not I," returned the Udaller, stubborn in bis ideas of right and 
wrong, even in so formidable an emergency. " The Magistrates of Kirk- 
wall know their duty, and were I they "But here the recollection 

that his daughters were at the mercy of these ruffians blanked the bold 
visage of Magnus Troil, and checked the defiance which was just about 
to issue from his lips. 

" D — n me," said Bunce, who easily conjectured what was passing 
in the mind of his prisoner — " that pause would have told well on the 
stage — it would have brought down pit, box, and gallery, egad, as 
Bayes has it." 

" I will bear nothing of Bayes," said Claud Halcro (himself a little 
elevated), " it is an impudent satire on glorious John ; but he tickled 
Buckingham for it — 

' In the first rank of these did Zimri stand; 
A man so various ' " 

" Hold your peace !" said Bunce, drowning the voice of the admirer 
of Dryden in louder and more vehement asseveration, " the Rehearsal 
is the best farce ever was written — and I'll make him kiss the gunner's 
daughter that denies it. D — n me, I was the best Prince Prettyman 
ever walked the boards — 

' Sometimes a fisher's son, sometimes a prince.' 

But let us to business. — Hark ye, old gentleman" (to Magnus), "you 
have a sort of sulkiness about you, for which some of my profession 
would cut your ears out of your head, and broil them for your dinner 
with red pepper. I have known Goffe do so to a poor devil, for looking 
sour and dangerous when he saw his sloop go to Davy Jones's locker 
with his only son on board. But I'm a spirit of another sort ; and if 
you or the ladies are ill-used, it shall be the Kirkwall people's fault, and 
not mine, and that's fair ; and so you had better let them know your 
condition, and your circumstances, and so forth, — and that's fair, too." 

Magnus, thus exhorted, took up the pen, and attempted to write ; 
but his high spirit so struggled with his paternal anxiety that his hand 
refused its office. " I cannot help it," he said, after one or two illegible 
attempts to write — I cannot form a letter if all our lives depended 
upon it." 

And he could not, with his utmost efforts, so suppress the convulsive 
emotions which he experienced, but that they agitated his whole frame. 
The willow which bends to the tempest often escapes better than the 
oak which resists it ; and so, in great calamities, it sometimes happens 
that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of 
mind sooner than those of a loftier character. In the present case 
Claud Halcro was fortunately able to perform the task which the deeper 
feelings of his friend and patron refused. He took the pen, and, in as 
few words as possible, explained the situation in which they were placed, 
and the cruel risks to which they were exposed, insinuating at the same 
time, as delicately as he could express it, that to the magistrates of the 
country the life and honour of its citizens should be a dearer object 
than even the apprehension or punishment of the guilty ; taking care, 
however, to qualify the last expression as much as possible, for fear of 
giving umbrage to the pirates. ^ 



THE PIRATE. 283 

Bunce read over the letter, which fortunately met his approbation ; 
and, on seeing the name of Claud Halcro at the bottom, he exclaimed 
in great surprise, and with more energetic expressions of asseveration 
than we choose to record — : " Why, you are the little fellow that played 
the riddle to old Manager Gadabout's company, at Hogs Norton, the 
first season I came out there ! I thought I knew your catchword of 
glorious John." 

At another time this recognition might not have been very grateful 
to Halcro' s minstrel pride ; but as matters stood with him, the dis- 
covery of a golden mine could not have made him more happy. He in- 
stantly remembered the very hopeful young performer who came out in 
Don Sebastian, and judiciously added, that the muse of glorious John 
had never received such excellent support during the time that he was 
first (he might have added, and only) violin to Mr Gadabout's company. 

" Why, yes," said Bunce, " I believe you are right. I think I might 
have shaken the scene as well as Booth or Betterton either. But I 
was destined to figure on other boards (striking his foot upon the deck) 
and I believe I must stick by them, till I find no board at all to sup- 
port me. But now, old acquaintance, I will do something for you — 
slue yourself this way a bit — I would have you solus." They leaned over 
the taffrail, while Bunce whispered with more seriousness than he 
usually showed, ." I am sorry for this honest old heart of Norway pine 
—blight me if I am not — and for the daughters, too — besides, I have 
my own reasons for befriending one of them. I can be a wild fellow 
with a willing lass of the game ; but to such decent and innocent crea- 
tures — d — n me, I am Scipio at Numantia, and Alexander in the tent 
of Darius. You remember how I touch off Alexander (here he started 
into heroics) 'I — 

' Thus from the grave I rise to save my love, 
All draw your swords, with wings of lightning move. 
When I rush on, sure none will dare to say — 
' Tis beauty calls, and glory shows the way.' " 

Claud Halcro failed not to bestow the necessary commendations on 
his declamation, declaring that, in his opinion as an honest man, he 
had always thought Mr Altamont's giving that speech far superior in 
tone and energy to Betterton. 

Bunce, or Altamont, wrung his hand tenderly. " Ah, you flatter 
me, my dear friend," he said ; " yet, why had not the public some of 
your judgment! I should not then have been at this pass. Heaven 
knows, my dear Mr Halcro — Heaven knows with what pleasure' I could 
keep you on board with me, just that I might have one friend who 
loves as much to hear, as I do to recite, the choicest pieces of our 
finest dramatic authors. The most of us are beasts — and, for the Kirk- 
wall hostage yonder, he uses me, egad, as I use Fletcher, I think, and 
huffs me the more, the more I do for him. But how delightful would 
it be in a tropic night, when the ship was hanging on the breeze, with 
a broad and steady sail, for me to rehearse Alexander, with you for my 
pit, box, and gallery ! Nay (for you are a follower of the Muses, as I 
remember), who knows but you and I might be the means of inspiring, 
like Orpheus and Eurydice, a pure taste into our companions, and 
■ softening then maimers, while Ave excited their better feelings V 



234 THE PIRATE. 

This was spoken with so much unction that Claud Halcro began to 
be afraid he had both made the actual punch over potent, and mixed 
too many bewitching ingredients in the cup of flattery which he had 
administered ; and that, under the influence of both potions, the senti- 
mental nirate might detain him by force, merely to realize the scenes 
which his imagination presented. The conjuncture was, however, too 
delicate to admit of any active effort on Halcro' s part, to redeem his 
blunder, and therefore he only returned the tender pressure of his 
friend's hand, and uttered the interjection "alas!" in as pathetic a 
tone as he could. 

Bunce immediately resumed : " You are right, my friend, these are 
but vain visions of felicity, and it remains but for the unhappy Alta- 
mont to serve the friend to whom he is now to bid farewell. I have de- 
termined to put you and the two girls ashore, with Fletcher for your 
prptection ; and so call up the young women, and let them be gone be- 
fore the devil get aboard of me, or of some one else. You will carry 
my letter to the magistrates, and second it with your own eloquence, 
and assure them, that if they hurt but one hair of Cleveland's head, 
there will be the devil to pay and no pitch hot." 

Relieved at heart by this unexpected termination of Bunce' s ha- 
rangue, Halcro descended the companion-ladder two steps at a time, and 
knocking at the cabin door, could scarce find intelligible language enough 
to say his errand. The sisters hearing, with unexpected joy, that they 
were to be set ashore, muffled themselves in their cloaks, and, when 
they learned that the boat was hoisted out, came hastily on deck, where 
they were apprised, for the first time, to their great horror, that their 
father was still to remain on board of the pirate. 

" We will remain with him at every risk," said Minna, " we may be 
of some assistance to him, were it but for an instant — we will live and 
die with him !" 

" We shall aid him more surely," said Brenda, who comprehended 
the nature of their situation better than Minna, "by interesting the 
people of Kirkwall to grant these gentlemen's demands." 

"Spoken like an angel of sense and beauty," said Bunce ; " and now 
away with you ; for, d — n me, if this is not like having a lighted linstock 
in the powder-room — if you speak another word more, confound me if 
I know how I shall bring myself to part with you !" 

" Go, in God's name, my daughters," said Magnus. " I am in God's 
hand ; and when you are gone I shall care little for myself — and I shall 
think and say, as long as I live, that this good gentleman deserves a 
better trade. Go— go— away with you !" for they yet lingered in un- 
willingness to leave Trim. 

" Stay not to kiss," said Bunce, " for fear I be tempted to ask my 
share. Into the boat with you — yet stop an instant." He drew the three 
captives apart — " Fletcher," said he, " will answer for the rest of the 
fellows, and will see you safe off the sea-beach. But how to answer for 
Fletcher, I know not, except by trusting Mr Halcro with this little 
guarantee." 

He offered the minstrel a small double-barrelled pistol, which, he 
said, Avas loaded with a brace of balls. Minna observed Halcro's hand 
tremble as he stretched it out to take the weapon. " Give it to me, 



THE PIRATE. 285 

sir," she said, taking it from the outlaw ; " and trust to me for defend- 
ing my sister and myself." 

" Bravo, bravo !" shouted Bunce. " There spoke a wench worthy of 
Cleveland, the King of Rovers !" 

" Cleveland !" repeated Minna, " do you then know that Cleveland 
whom you have twice named ?" 

" Know him ! Is there a man alive," said Bunce, " that knows 
better than I do the best and stoutest fellow ever stepped betwixt stem 
and stern 1 When he is out of the bilboes, as please Heaven he shall 
soon be, I reckon to see you come on board of us, and reign the queen 
of every sea we sail over. You have got the little guardian, I suppose 
you know how to use it. If Fletcher behaves ill to you, you need only 
draw up this piece of iron with your thumb, so — and if he persists, it is 
but crooking your pretty forefinger thus, and I shall lose the most duti- 
ful messmate that ever man had — though, d — n the dog, he will de- 
serve his death if he disobeys my orders. And now, into the boat — but 
stay, one kiss for Cleveland's sake." 

Brenda, in deadly terror, endured his courtesy, but Minna, stepping 
back with disdain, offered her hand. Bunce laughed, but kissed, with 
a theatrical air, the fair hand which she extended as a ransom for her 
lips, and at length the sisters and Halcro were placed in the boat, 
which rowed off under Fletcher's command. 

Bunce stood on the quarter-deck, soliloquizing after the manner of 
his original profession. " Were this told at Port-Royal now, or at the 
isle of Providence, or in the Petits Guaves, I wonder what they would say 
of me ! Why, that I was a good-natured milksop— a Jack-a-lent — an 
ass. Well, let them. I have done enough of bad to think about it ; it 
is worth while doing one good action, if it were but for the rarity of the 
thing, and to put one in good humour with oneself." Then turning to 

Magnus Troil, he proceeded — " By these are bonarobas, these 

daughters of yours. The eldest would make her fortune on the London 
boards. What a dashing attitude the wench had with her as she seized 
the pistol ! — d — n me, that touch would have brought the house down ! 
What a Roxalana the jade would have made (for, in his oratory, Bunce, 
like Sancho's gossip, Thomas Cecial, was apt to use the most energetic 
word which came to hand, without accurately considering its propriety) ! 
I would give my share of the next prize to hear her spout — 

' Away, begone, and give a whirlwind room, 
Or I will blow you up like dust. Avaunt ! 
Madness but meanly represents my rage.' 

And then, again, that little, soft, shy, tearful trembler, for Statira, to 
hear her recite — 

' He speaks the kindest words, and looks such things, 
Vows with such passion, swears with so much grace, 
That 'tis a kind of heaven to be deluded by him.' 

What a play we might have run up ! — I was a beast not to think of it 
before I sent them off — I to be Alexander — Claud Halcro, Lysimachus 
— this old gentleman might have made a Clytus, for a pinch. I was 
an idiot not to think of it !" 

There was much in this effusion which might have displeased the 
Udaller ; but, to speak truth, he paid no attention to it. His eye, and 



286 THE PIRATE. 

finally his spy-glass, was employed in watching the return of his 
daughters to the shore. He saw them land on the beach, and accom- 
panied by Halcro, and another man (Fletcher, doubtless), he saw them 
ascend the acclivity, and proceed upon the road to Kirkwall, and he 
could even distinguish that Minna, as if considering herself as the 
guardian of the party, walked a little aloof from the rest, on the watch, 
as it seemed, against surprise, and ready to act as occasion should require. 
At length, as the Udaller was just about to lose sight of them, he had 
the exquisite satisfaction to see the party halt, and the pirate leave 
them, after a space just long enough for a civil farewell, and proceed 
slowly back on his return to the beach. Blessing the Great Being Avho 
had thus relieved him from the most agonizing fears which a father can 
feel, the worthy Udaller from that instant stood resigned to his own 
fate, whatever that might be. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Over the mountains and under the waves, 
Over the fountains and under the graves, 
Over floods that are deepest, 

Which Neptune obey, 
Over rocks that are steepest, 
Love will find out the way. 

Old Song. 

The parting of Fletcher from Claud Halcro and the sisters of Burgh- 
Westra, on the spot where it took place, was partly occasioned by a 
small party of armed men being seen at a distance in the act of ad- 
vancing from Kirkwall, an apparition hidden from the Udaller's spy- 
glass by the swell of the ground, but quite visible to the pirate, whom 
it determined to consult his own safety by a speedy return to his boat. 
He was just turning away, when Minna occasioned the short delay 
which her father had observed. 

" Stop," she said ; " I command you ! — Tell your leader from me, 
that whatever the answer may be from Kirkwall, he shall carry his 
vessel, nevertheless, round to Stromness ; and, being anchored there, 
let him send a boat ashore for Captain Cleveland when he shall see a 
smoke on the Bridge of Broisgar." 

Fletcher had thought, like his messmate Bunce, of asking a kiss, at 
least, for the trouble of escorting these beautiful young women ; and, 
perhaps, neither the terror of the approaching Kirkwall men, nor of 
Minna's weapon, might have prevented his being insolent. But the 
name of his Captain, and, still more, the unappalled, dignified, and 
commanding manner of Mmna Troil, overawed him. He made a sea 
bow, — promised to keep a sharp look-out, and, returning to his boat, 
went on board with his message. 

As Halcro and the sisters advanced towards the party whom they saw 
on the Kirkwall road, and who, on their part, had halted as if to ob- 
serve them, Brenda. relieved from the fears of Fletcher's presence, 
which had hitherto kept her silent, exclaimed, "Merciful Heaven!— 
Minna, in wlftt hands have we left our dear father?" 



THE PIRATE. 287 

" In the hands of brave men," said Minna, steadily — " I fear not 
for him." 

"As brave as you please," said Claud Halcro, "but very dangerous 
rogues for all that. — I know that fellow Altamont, as he calls himself, 
though that is not his right name neither, as deboshed a dog as ever 
made a barn ring with blood and blank verse. He began with Barn- 
well, and every body thought he would end with the gallows, like the 
last scene in Venice Preserved." 

" It matters not," said Minna — " the wilder the waves, the more 
powerful is the voice that rules them. The name alone of Cleveland 
ruled the mood of the fiercest amongst them." 

" I am sorry for Cleveland," said Brenda, "if such are his companions, 
— but I care little for him in comparison to my father." 

" Reserve your compassion for those who need it," said Minna, " and 
fear nothing for our father. — God knows, every silver hair on his head 
is to me worth the treasure of an unsunned mine ; but I know that he is 
safe wliile in yonder vessel, and I know that he will be soon safe on 
shore." 

" I would I could see it," said Claud Halcro ; " but I fear the Kirk- 
wall people, supposing Cleveland to be such as I dread, will not dare to 
exchange him against the Udaller. The Scots have very severe laws 
against theft-boot, as they call it." 

" But who are those on the road before us ? " said Brenda ; " and 
why do they halt there so jealously ? " 

" They are a patrol of the militia," answered Halcro. " Glorious 
John touches them off a little sharply, but then John was a Ja- 
cobite, — 

' Mouths without hands, maintain'd at vast expense, 
In peace a charge, in war a weak defence; 
Stout once a-month, the> march, a blustering band, 
And ever, but in time of need, at hand.' 

I fancy they halted just now, caking us, as they saw us on the brow of 
the hill, for a party of the sloop's men, and, now they can distinguish 
that you wear petticoats, they are moving on again." 

They came on accordingly, and proved to be, as Claud Halcro had 
suggested, a patrol sent out to watch the motions of the pirates, and to 
prevent their attempting descents to damage the country. 

They heartily congratulated Claud Halcro, who was well known to 
more than one of them, upon his escape from captivity ; and the com- 
mander of the party, while offering every assistance to the ladies, could 
not help condoling with them on the circumstances in which their father 
stood, hinting, though in a delicate and doubtful manner, the difficul- 
ties which might be in the way of his liberation. 

When they arrived at Kirkwall, and obtained an audience of the 
Provost, and one or two of the Magistrates, these difficulties were more 
plainly insisted upon. — " The Halcyon frigate is upon the coast," said 
the Provost ; "she was seen off Duncansbay-head ; and, though I have 
the deepest respect for Mr Trcil of Burgh-Westra, yet I shall be an- 
swerable to law if I release from prison the Captain of this suspicious 
vessel, on account of the safety of any individual who may be unhappily : 
endangered by his detention. This man is now known to be the heart 



-288 THE PIRATE. 



and soul of these bucaniers, and am I at liberty to send him aboard, that 
he may plunder the country, or perhaps go fight the King's ship ? — for 
he has impudence enough for anything." 

" Courage enough for anything, you mean, Mr Provost," said Minna, 
unable to restrain her displeasure. 

" Why, you may pall it as you please, Miss Troil," said the worthy 
Magistrate ; " but, in my opinion, that sort of courage which proposes 
to fight singly against two, is little better than a kind of practical im- 
pudence." 

" But our father ?" said Brenda, in a tone of the most earnest en- 
treaty — " our father — the friend, I may say the father, of his country — ■ 
to whom so many look for kindness, and so many for actual support — 
whose loss would be the extinction of a beacon in a storm — will you 
indeed weigh the risk which he runs against such a trifling thing as 
letting an unfortunate man from prison, to seek his unhappy fate else- 
where ?" 

" Miss Brenda is right," said Claud Halcro ; " I am for let-a-be for 
let-a-be, as the boys say ; and never fash about a warrant of liberation, 
Provost, but just take a fool's counsel, and let the goodman of the jail 
forget to draw his bolt on the wicket, or leave a chink of a window open, 
or the like, and we shall be rid of the rover, and have the one best 
honest fellow in Orkney or Zetland on the lee-side of a bowl of punch 
with us in five hours." 

The Provost replied in nearly the same terms as before, that he had 
the highest respect for Mr Magnus Troil of Burgh-Westra, but that he 
could not surfer his consideration for any individual, however respect- 
able, to interfere with the discharge of his duty. 

Minna then addressed her sister in a tone of calm and sarcastic dis- 
pleasure. — " You forget," she said, " Brenda, that you are talking of 
the safety of a poor insignificant Udaller of Zetland, to no less a person 
than the Chief Magistrate of the metropolis of Orkney— can you expect 
so great a person to condescend to such a trifling subject of considera- 
tion ? It will be time enough for the Provost to think of complying 
with the terms sent to him — for comply with them at length he both 
must and will— when the Church of Saint Magnus is beat down about 
his ears." 

" You may be angry with me, my pretty young lady," said the good- 
humoured Provost Torfe, " but I cannot be offended with you. The 
Church of Saint Magnus has stood many a day, and I think will out : 
live both you and me, much more yonder pack of unhanged dogs. Anc 
besides that your father is half an Orkneyman, and has both estat( 
and friends among us, I would, I give you my word, do as much for 









Zetlander in distress as I would for any one, excepting one of our owi 
native Kirkwallers, who are doubtless to be preferred. And if you wil 
take up your lodgings here with my wife and myself, we will endeavou; 
to show you," continued he, " that you are as welcome in Kirkwall a 
ever you could be in Lerwick or Scalloway." 

Minna deigned no reply to this good-humoured invitation, but Brends 
declined it in civil terms, pleading the necessity of taking up thei: 
abode with a wealthy widow of Kirkwall, a relation, who already ex- 
pected them. 



THE PIRATE. 2S9 

' Halcro made another attempt to move the Provost, but found him 
inexorable. — " The Collector of the Customs had already threatened," 
he said, " to inform against him for entering into treaty, or, as he called 
it, packing and peeling with those strangers, even when it seemed the 
only means of preventing a bloody affray in the town ; and, should he 
now forego the advantage afforded by the imprisonment of Cleveland 
and the escape of the Factor, he might incur something worse than 
censure." The burden of the whole was, " that he was sorry for the 
Udaller, he was sorry even for the lad Cleveland, who had some sparks 
of honour about him ; but his duty was imperious, and must be obeyed." 
The Provost then precluded farther argument, by observing that an- 
other affair from Zetland called for his immediate attention. A gentle- 
man named Mertoun, residing at Jarlshof, had made complaint against 
Snailsfoot the Jagger, for having assisted a domestic of his in embezzling 
some valuable articles which had been deposited in his custody, and he 
was about to take examination on the subject, and cause them to be 
restored to Mr Mertoun, who was accountable for them to the right 
owner. 

In all this information there was nothing which seemed interesting 
to the sisters excepting the word Mertoun, which went like a dagger 
to the heart of Minna, when she recollected the circumstances under 
which Mordaunt Mertoun had disappeared, and which, with an emotion 
less painful, though still of a melancholy nature, called a faint blush 
into Brenda's cheek, and a slight degree of moisture into her eye. But 
it was soon evident that the Magistrate spoke not of Mordaunt, but of 
his father ; and the daughters of Magnus, little interested in his detail, 
took leave of the Provost to go to their own lodgings. 

When they arrived at their relation's, Minna made it her business 
to learn, by such inquiries as she could make without exciting suspicion, 
what was the situation of the unfortunate Cleveland, which she soon 
discovered to be exceedingly precarious. The Provost had not, indeed, 
committed him to close custody, as Claud Halcro had anticipated, re- 
collecting, perhaps, the favourable circumstances under which he had 
surrendered himself, and loath, till the moment of the last necessity, 
altogether to break faith with him. But although left apparently at 
large, he was strictly watched by persons well armed and appointed for 
the purpose, who had directions to detain him by force if he attempted 
to pass certain narrow precincts which were allotted to him. He was 
quartered in a strong room within what is called the King's Castle, and 
at night his chamber-door was locked on the outside, and a sufficient 
guard mounted to prevent his escape. He therefore enjoyed only the 
degree of liberty which the cat, in her cruel sport, is sometimes pleased 
to permit to the mouse which she has clutched ; and yet, such was 
the terror of the resources, the courage, and ferocity of the pirate 
Captain, that the Provost was blamed by the Collector, 'and many other 
sage citizens of Kirkwall, for permitting him to be at large upon any 
conditions. 

It may be well believed that, under such circumstances, Cleveland 
had no desire to seek any place of public resort, conscious that he was 
the object of a mixed feeling of curiosity and terror. His favourite 
place of exercise, therefore, was the external aisles of the Cathedral of 

T 



290 THE PIRATE. 

Saint Magnus, of which the eastern end alone is fitted up for public 
worship. This solemn old edifice, having escaped the ravage which 
attended the first convulsions of the Reformation, still retains some 
appearance of episcopal dignity. This place of worship is separated by 
a screen from the nave and western limb of the cross, and the whole is 
preserved in a state of cleanliness and decency, which might be well 
proposed as an example to the proud piles of Westminster and St 

It was in this exterior part of the Cathedral that Cleveland was per- 
mitted to walk, the rather that his guards^ by watching the single open 
entrance, had the means, with very little inconvenience to themselves, 
of preventing any possible attempt at escape. The place itself was well 
suited to his melancholy circumstances. The lofty and vaulted roof 
rises upon ranges of Saxon pillars, of massive size, four of which, still 
larger than the rest, once supported the lofty spue, which, long since 
destroyed by accident, has been rebuilt upon a disproportioned and 
truncated plan. The light is admitted at the eastern end through a 
lofty, well-proportioned, and richly-ornamented Gothic window, and 
the pavement is covered with inscriptions, in different languages, dis- 
tinguishing the graves of noble Orcadians, who have at different times 
been deposited within the sacred precincts. 

Here walked Cleveland, musing over the events of a misspent life, 
which, it seemed probable, might be brought to a violent and shameful 
close, while he was yet in the prime of youth. — " With these dead," he 
said, looking on the pavement, "shall I soon be numbered — but no holy 
man will speak a blessing ; no friendly hand register an inscription ; no 
proud descendant sculpture armorial bearings over the grave of the 
pirate Cleveland. My whitening bones will swing in the gibbet-irons 
on some wild beach or lonely cape, that will be esteemed fatal and ac- 
cursed for my sake. The old mariner, as he passes the Sound, will 
shake his head, and tell of my name and actions as a warning to his 
younger comrades. — But Minna ! Minna ! — what will be thy thoughts 
when the news reaches thee ? — Would to God the tidings were drowned 
in the deepest whirlpool betwixt Kirkwall and Burgh-Westra, ere they 
came to her ear ! — and oh ! would to Heaven that we had never met, 
since we never can meet again !" 

He lifted up his eyes as he spoke, and Minna Troil stood before him. 
Her face was pale, and her hair dishevelled ; but her look was composed 
and firm, with its usual expression of high-minded melancholy. She 
was still shrouded in the large mantle which she had assumed on leaving 
the vessel. Cleveland's first emotion was astonishment ; his next was 
joy, not unmixed with awe. He would have exclaimed— he would have 
thrown himself at her feet— but she imposed at once silence and com- 
posure on him, by raising her finger, and saying, in a low but com- 
manding accent, — " Be cautious— we are observed — there are men 
without — they let me enter with difficulty. I dare not remain long— 
they would think— they might believe— Oh, Cleveland! I have 
hazarded everything to save you !" 

" To save me ?— Alas ! poor Minna !" answered Cleveland, " to save 
me is impossible. — Enough that I have seen you once more, were it but 
to say, for ever farewell !" 



THE PIRATE. 291 

" We must, indeed, say farewell," said Minna ; " for fate and your 
guilt have divided us for ever.— Cleveland, I have seen your associates 
— need I tell you more — need I say, that I know now what a pirate is ?" 

" You have been in the ruffians' power i" said Cleveland, with a start 
of agony — " Did they presume " 

" Cleveland," replied Minna, " they presumed nothing— your name 
was a spell over them. By the power of that spell over these ferocious 
banditti, and by that alone, I was reminded of the qualities I once 
thought my Cleveland's !" 

" Yes," said Cleveland, proudly, " my name has and shall have power 
over them, when they are at the wildest ; and, had they harmed you 
by one rucle word, they should have found — Yet what do I rave about — ■ 
I am a prisoner !" 

" You shall be so no longer," said Minna — " Your safety— the safety 
of my dear father — all demand your instant freedom. I have formed a 
scheme for your liberty, which, boldly executed, cannot fail. The light 
is fading without — muffle yourself in my cloak, and you will easily pass 
the guards — I have given them the means of carousing, and they are 
deeply engaged. Haste to the Loch of Stennis, and hide yourself till 
day dawns ; then make a smoke on the point, where the land, stretching 
into the lake on each side, divides it nearly in two at the Bridge of 
Broisgar. Your vessel, which lies not far distant, will send a boat 
ashore. — Do not hesitate an instant." 

" But you, Minna ! — Should this wild scheme succeed," said Cleve- 
land, " what is to become of you T 

" For my share in your escape," answered the maiden, " the honesty 
of my own intention will vindicate me in the sight of Heaven ; and the 
safety of my father, whose fate depends on yours, will be my excuse to 
man." 

In a few words, she gave him the history of their capture, and its con- 
sequences. Cleveland cast up his eyes and raised his hands to Heaven, 
in thankfulness for the escape of the sisters from his evil companions, 
and then hastily added, — " But you are right, Minna ; I must fly at 
all rates — for your father's sake I must fly. — Here, then, we part — yet 
not, I trust, for ever." 

" For ever !" answered a voice, that sounded as from a sepulchral 
vault. 

They started, looked around them, and then gazed on each other. It 
seemed as if the echoes of the building had returned Cleveland's last 
words, but the pronunciation was too emphatically accented. 

" Yes, for ever !" said Noma of the Fitful-head, stepping forward 
from behind one of the massive Saxon pillars which support the roof of 
the Cathedral. " Here meet the crimson foot and the crimson hand. 
Well for both that the wound is healed whence that crimson was de- 
rived—well for both, but best for Mm who shed it. — Here, then, you 
meet — and meet for the last time !" 

"Not so," said Cleveland, as if about to take Minna's hand; "to 
separate me from Minna, while I have life, must be the work of her- 
self alone." 

" Away !" said Noma, stepping betwixt them, " away with such idle 
folly ! — Nourish no vain dreams of future meetings — you part here, and 



292 THE PIRATE. 

you part for ever. The hawk pairs not with the dove ; guilt matches 
iiiot with innocence. — Minna Troil, you look for the last time on this 
bold and criminal man — Cleveland, you behold Minna for the last time!" 

" And dream you," said Cleveland, indignantly, " that your mum- 
mery imposes on me, and that I am among the fools that see more than 
trick in your pretended art?" 

"Forbear, Cleveland, forbear!" said Minna, her hereditary awe of 
Noma augmented by the circumstance of her sudden appearance. " Oh, 
forbear ! — she is powerful — she is but too powerful.— And, do you, 
Noma, remember my father's safety is linked with Cleveland's." 

" And it is well for Cleveland that I do remember it," replied the 
Pythoness, "and that, for the sake of one, I am here to aid both. 
You, with your childish purpose of passing one of his bulk and stature 
under the disguise of a few paltry folds of wadmaal — what would your 
device have procured him but instant restraint with bolt and shackle ? 
— I will save him — I will place him in security on board his bark. But 
let him renounce these shores for ever, and carry elsewhere the terrors 
of his sable flag, and his yet blacker name ; for if the sun rises twice, 
and finds him still at anchor, his blood be on his own head. — Ay, look 
to each other — look the last look that I permit to frail affection, — and 
say, if you can say it, Farewell for ever." 

" Obey her," stammered Minna ; "remonstrate not, but obey her." 

Cleveland, grasping her hand, and kissing it ardently, said, but so 
low that she only could hear it, " Farewell, Minna, but not for ever." 

" And now, maiden, begone," said Noma, " and leave the rest to the 
Reimkennar." 

" One word more," said Minna, " and I obey you. Tell me but if I 
have caught aright your meaning— is Mordaunt Mertoun safe and re- 
covered ?" 

" Recovered and safe," said Noma : " else woe to the hand that shed 
his blood!" 

Minna slowly sought the door of the Cathedral, and turned back 
from time to time to look at the shadowy form of Noma and the stately 
and military figure of Cleveland, as they stood together in the deepen- 
ing gloom of the ancient Cathedral. When she looked back a second 
time they were in motion, and Cleveland followed the matron, as, with 
a slow and solemn step, she glided towards one of the side aisles. When 
Minna looked back a third time their figures were no longer visible. 
She collected herself, and walked on to the eastern door by which she 
had entered, and listened for an instant to the guard, who talked to- 
gether on the outside. 

"The Zetland girl stays a long time with this pirate fellow," said 
one. " I wish they have not more to speak about than the ransom of 
her father." 

" Ay, truly," answered another, " the wenches will have more sym- 
pathy with a handsome young pirate than an old bed-ridden burgher." 

Their discourse was here interrupted by her of whom they were speak- 
ing ; and, as if taken in the manner, they pulled off their hats, made 
their awkward obeisances, and looked not a little embarrassed and con- 
fused. 

Minna returned to the house where she lodged, much affected, yet, 



THE PIRATE. 293 

on the whole, pleased with the result of her expedition, which seemed 
to put her father out of danger, and assured her at once of the escape 
of Cleveland and of the safety of young Mordaunt. She hastened to 
communicate both pieces of intelligence to Brenda, who joined her in 
thankfulness to Heaven, and was herself well-nigh persuaded to believe 
in Noma's supernatural pretensions, so much was she pleased with the 
manner in which they had been employed. Some time was spent in 
exchanging their mutual congratulations, and mingling tears of hope, 
mixed with apprehension ; when, at a late hour in the evening, they 
were interrupted by Claud Halcro, who, full of a fidgeting sort of im- 
portance, not unmingled with fear, came to acquaint them that the 
prisoner, Cleveland, had disappeared from the Cathedral, in which he 
had been permitted to walk, and that the -Provost, having been in- 
formed that Minna was accessary to his flight, was coming, in a mighty 
quandary, to make inquiry into the circumstances. 

When the worthy Magistrate arrived, Minna did not conceal from 
him her own wish that Cleveland should make his escape, as the only 
means which she saw of redeeming her father from imminent danger. 
But that she had any actual accession to his flight she positively de- 
nied ; and stated " that she had parted from Cleveland in the Cathe- 
dral more than two hours since, and then left him in company with a 
third person, whose name she did not conceive herself obliged to com- 
municate." 

"It is not needful, Miss Minna Troil," answered Provost Torfe ; 
" for, although no person but this Captain Cleveland and yourself was 
seen to enter the Kirk of Saint Magnus this day, we know well enough 
your cousin, Old Ulla Troil, whom you Zetlanders call Noma of Fitful- 
head, has been cruising up and down, upon sea and land, and air, for 
what I know, in boats and on ponies, and it may be on broomsticks ; 
and here has been her dumb Drow, too, coming and going, and playing 
the spy on every one — and a good spy he is, for he can hear everything 
and tells nothing again, unless to his mistress. And we know, besides, 
that she can enter the Kirk when all the doors are fast, and has been 
seen there more than once, God save us from the Evil One ! — and so, 
without farther questions asked, I conclude it was old Noma whom 
you left in the Kirk with this slashing blade — and if so, they may 
catch them again that can. I cannot but say, however, pretty Mistress 
Minna, that you Zetland folks seem to forget both law and gospel when 
you use the help of witchcraft to fetch delinquents out of a legal prison ; 
and the least that you, or your cousin, or your father, can do, is to use 
influence with this wild fellow to go away as soon as possible without 
hurting the town or trade, and then there will be little harm in what 
has chanced ; for, Heaven knows, I did not seek the poor lad's life, s?o 
I could get my hands free of him without blame ; and far less did I 
wish that, through his imprisonment, any harm should come to worthy 
Magnus Troil of Burgh- Westra." 

" I see where the shoe pinches you, Mr Provost," said Claud Halcro, 
" and I am sure I can ansAver for my friend Mr Troil as well as for 
myself, that we will say and do all in our power with this man, Captain 
Cleveland, to make him leave the coast directly." 

" And I," said Minna, " am so convinced that what you recommend 



294 THE PIRATE. 

is best for all parties, that my sister and I will set off early to-morrow 
morning to the House of Stennis, if Mr Halcro will give us his escort, 
to receive my father when he comes ashore, that we may acquaint him 
with your wish, and to use every influence to induce this unhappy man 
to leave the country." 

Provost Torfe looked upon her with some surprise. " It is not every 
young woman," he said, " would wish to move eight miles nearer to a 
band of pirates." 

" We run no risk," said Claud Halcro, interfering. " The House of 
Stennis is strong ; and my cousin, whom it belongs to, has men and 
arms within it. The young ladies are as safe there as in Kirkwall ; 
and much good may arise from an early communication between Magnus 
Troil and his daughters. And happy am I to see, that in your case, 
my good old friend, — as glorious John says, — 



' After much debate, 



The man prevails above the magistrate.' " 

The Provost smiled, nodded his head, and indicated, as far as he 
thought he could do so with decency, how happy he should be if the 
Fortune's Favourite, and her disorderly crew, would leave Orkney 
without farther interference or violence on either side. He could not 
authorize their being supplied from the shore, he said ; but, either for 
fear or favour, they were certain .to get provisions at Stromness. This 
pacific magistrate then took leave of Halcro and the two ladies, who 
proposed, the next morning, to transfer their residence to the House of 
Stennis, situated upon the banks of the salt-water lake of the same 
name, and about four miles by water from the Road of Stromness, where 
the Rover's vessel was lying. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

Fly, Fleance, fly ! — Thou mayst escape. 

MACBETn. 

It was one branch of the various arts by which Noma endeavoured 
to maintain her pretensions to supernatural powers, that she made her- 
self familiarly and practically acquainted with all the secret passes and 
recesses, whether natural or artificial, which she could hear of, whether 
by tradition or otherwise, and was ? by such knowledge, often enabled 
to perform feats which were otherwise unaccountable. Thus, when she 
escaped from the tabernacle at Burgh- Westra, it was by a sliding board 
which covered a secret passage in the wall, known to none but herself 
and Magnus, who, she was well assured, would not betray her. The 
profusion, also, with which she lavished a considerable income, other- 
wise of no use to her, enabled her to procure the earliest intelligence 
respecting whatever she desired to know, and, at the same time, to 
secure all other assistance necessary to carry her plans into effect. 
Cleveland, upon the present occasion, had reason to admire both her 
sagacity and her resources. 

Upon her applying a little forcible pressure, a door which was con- 
cealed under some rich wooden sculpture in the screen which divides 



THE PIRATE. 295 

the eastern aisle from the rest of the Cathedral, opened, and disclosed 
a dark narrow winding passage, into which she entered, telling Cleve- 
land, in a whisper, to follow, and be sure he shut the door behind him. 
He obeyed, and followed her in darkness and silence, sometimes descend- 
ing steps, of the number of which she always apprized him, sometimes 
ascending, and often turning at short angles. The air was more free 
than he could have expected, the passage being ventilated at different 
parts by unseen and ingeniously contrived spiracles, which communi- 
cated with the open air. At length their long course ended by Noma 
drawing aside a sliding panel, which, opening behind a wooden or box- 
bed, as it is called in Scotland, admitted them into an ancient, but 
very mean apartment, having a latticed window and a groined roof. 
The furniture was much dilapidated ; and its only ornaments were, -on 
the one side of the wall, a garland of faded ribbons, such as are used to 
decorate whale- vessels ; and, on the other, an escutcheon, bearing an 
Earl's arms and coronet, surrounded with the usual emblems of 
mortality. The mattock and spade, which lay in one corner, together 
with the appearance of an old man, who, in a rusty black coat and 
slouched hat, sat reading by a table, announced that they were in the 
habitation of the church-beadle or sexton, and in the presence of that 
respectable functionary. 

When his attention was attracted by the noise of the sliding panel, 
he arose, and, testifying much respect, but no surprise, took his shadowy 
hat from his thin gray locks, and stood uncovered in the presence of 
Noma with an air of profound humility. 

" Be faithful," said Noma to the old man, " and beware you show 
not any living mortal the secret path to the Sanctuary." 

The old man bowed, in token of obedience and of thanks, for she put 
money in his hand as she spoke. With a faltering voice, he expressed 
his hope that she would remember his son, who was on the Greenland 
voyage, that he might return fortunate and safe as he had done last year, 
when he brought back the garland, pointing to that upon the wall. 

" My cauldron shall boil, and my rhyme shall be said, in his behalf," 
answered Noma. " Waits Pacolet without with the horses ?" 

The old Sexton assented, and the Pythoness, commanding Cleveland 
to follow her, went through a back door of the apartment into a small 
garden, corresponding, in its desolate appearance, to the habitation 
they had just quitted. The low and broken wall easily permitted them 
to pass into another and larger garden, though not much better kept, 
and a gate, which was upon the latch, let them into a long and wind- 
ing lane, through which, Noma having whispered to her companion 
that it was the only dangerous place on their road, they walked with a 
hasty pace. It was now nearly dark, and the inhabitants of the poor 
dwellings, on either hand, had betaken themselves to their houses. 
They saw only one woman, who was looking from her door, but blessed 
herself, and retired into her house with precipitation, when she saw the 
tall figure of Noma stalk past her with long strides. The lane con- 
ducted them into the country, where the dumb dAvarf waited with three 
horses, ensconced behind the wall of a deserted shed. On one of these 
Noma instantly seated herself, Cleveland mounted another, and, fol- 
lowed by Pacolet on the third, they moved sharply on through the 



296 THE PIRATE. 

darkness ; the active and spirited animals on which they rode being of 
a breed rather taller than those reared in Zetland. 

After more than an hour's smart riding, in which Noma acted as 
guide, they stopped before a hovel, so utterly desolate in appearance 
that it resembled rather a cattle-shed than a cottage. 

" Here you must remain till dawn, when your signal can be seen 
from your vessel," said Noma, consigning the horses to the care of 
Pacolet, and leading the way into the wretched hovel, which she pre- 
sently illuminated by lighting the small iron lamp which she usually 
carried along with her. " It is a poor," she said, " but a safe place of 
refuge ; for were we pursued hither, the earth would yawn and admit 
us into its recesses ere you were taken. For know that this ground is 
sacred to the Gods of old Valhalla. — And now say, man of mischief and 
of blood, are you friend or foe to Noma, the sole priestess of these dis- 
owned deities ?" 

" How is it possible for me to be your enemy ?" said Cleveland. — 
" Common gratitude " 

" Common gratitude," said Noma, interrupting him, " is a common 
word — and words are the common pay which fools accept at the hands 
of knaves ; but Noma must be requited by actions — by "sacrifices." 

" Well, mother, name your request." 

" That you never seek to see Minna Troil again, and that you leave 
this coast in twenty-four hours," answered Noma. 

" It is impossible," said the Captain ; " I cannot be soon enough 
found in the sea-stores which the sloop must have." 

" You can. I will take care you are fully supplied ; and Caithness 
and the Hebrides are not far distant — you can depart if you will." 

" And why should I," said Cleveland, " if I will not ?" 

" Because your stay endangers others," said Noma, " and will prove 
your own destruction. Hear me with attention. From the first 
moment I saw you lying senseless on the sand beneath the cliffs of 
Sumburgh, I read that in your countenance which linked you with me, 
and those who were dear to me; but whether for good or evil was 
hidden from mine eyes. I aided in saving your life, in preserving your 
property. I aided in doing so the very youth whom you have crossed 
in his dearest affections— crossed by tale-bearing and slander." 

" I slander Mertoun !" exclaimed the Captain. " By Heaven, I 
scarce mentioned his name at Burgh-Westra, if it is that which you 
mean. The peddling fellow Bryce, meaning, I believe, to be my friend, 
because he found something could be made by me, did, I have since 
heard, carry tattle or truth, I know not which, to the old man, which 
was confirmed by the report of the whole island. But for me, I scarce 
thought of him as a rival ; else I had taken a more honourable way to 
rid myself of him." 

" Was the point of your double-edged knife, directed to the bosom of 
an unarmed man, intended to carve out that more honourable way ?" 
said Noma, sternly. 

Cleveland was conscience-struck, and remained silent for an instant, 
ere lie replied, " There, indeed, I was wrong ; but he is. I thank Heaven, 
recovered, and welcome to an honourable satisfaction. 

" Cleveland," said the Pythoness, " no ! The fiend who employs you 



THE PIRATE. 297 

as his implement is powerful ; but with me he shall not strive. You 
are of that temperament which the dark Influences desire as the tools 
of their agency ; bold, haughty, and undaunted, unrestrained by prin- 
ciple, and having only in its room a wild sense of indomitable pride, 
which such men call honour. Such you are, and as such your course 
through life has been — onward and unrestrained, bloody and tempes- 
tuous. By me, however, it shall be controlled," she concluded, stretching 
out her staff, as if in the attitude of determined authority — " ay, even 
although the demon who presides over it should even now arise in his 
terrors." 

Cleveland laughed scornfully. " Good mother," he said, " reserve 
such language for the rude sailor that implores you to bestow him fair 
wind, or the poor fisherman that asks success to his nets and lines. I 
have been long inaccessible both to fear and to superstition. Call forth 
your demon, if you command one, and place him before me. The man 
that has spent years in company with incarnate devils can scarce dread 
the presence of a disembodied fiend." 

This was said with a careless and desperate bitterness of spirit, which 
proved too powerfully energetic even for the delusions of Noma's in- 
sanity ; and it was with a hollow and tremulous voice that she asked 
Cleveland — " For what, then, do you hold me, if you deny the power 
that I have bought so dearly ?" 

"You have wisdom, mother," said Cleveland; "at least you have 
art, and art is power. I hold you for one who knows how to steer upon 
the current of events, but I deny your power to change its course. Do 
not, therefore, waste words in quoting terrors for which I have no feel- 
ing, but tell me at once wherefore you would have me depart ?" 

" Because I will have you see Minna no more," answered Noma — 
" Because Minna is the destined bride of him whom men call Mordaunt 
Mertoun — Because, if you depart not within twenty-four hours, utter 
destruction awaits you. In these plain words there is no metaphysical 
delusion — Answer me as plainly." 

" In as plain words, then," answered Cleveland, " I will not leave 
these islands — not, at least, till I have seen Minna Troil ; and never 
shall your Mordaunt possess her while I live." 

" Hear him !" said Noma — " hear a mortal man spurn at the means 
of prolonging his life ! — hear a sinful— a most sinful being, refuse the 
time which fate yet affords for repentance, and for the salvation of an 
immortal soul ! — Behold him how he stands erect, bold and confident 
in his youthful strength and courage ! My eyes, unused to tears— even 
my eyes, which have so little cause to weep for him, are blinded with' 
sorrow, to think what so fair a form will be ere the second sun set !" 

" Mother," said Cleveland, firmly, yet with some touch of sorrow in 
his voice, " I in part understand your threats. You know more than 
we do of the course of the Halcyon — perhaps have the means (for I ac- 
knowledge you have shown wonderful skill of combination in such affairs) 
of directing her cruise our way. Be it so, — I will not depart from my 
purpose for that risk. If the frigate comes hither, we have still our 
shoal water to trust to ; and I think they will scarce cut us out with 
boats, as if we were a Spanish xebeck. I am therefore resolved I will 
hoist once more the flag under which I have cruised, avail ourselves of 



293 THE PIRATE. 

the thousand chances which have helped us in greater odds, and, at the 
worst, fight the vessel to the very last ; and, when mortal man can do 
no more, it is but snapping a pistol in the powder-room, and as we have 
lived so will we die." 

There was a dead pause as Cleveland ended ; and it was broken by 
his resuming, in a softer tone — " You have heard my answer, mother ; 
let us debate it no farther, but part in peace. I would willingly leave 
you a remembrance, that you may not forget a poor fellow to whom 
your services have been useful, and who parts with you in no unkind- 
ness, however unfriendly you are to his dearest interests. — Nay, do not 
shun to accept such a trifle," he said, forcing upon Noma the little 
silver enchased box which had been once the subject of strife betwixt 
Mertoun and him ; " it is not for the sake of the metal, which I know 
you value not, but simply as a memorial that you have met him of 
whom many a strange tale will hereafter be told in the seas which he 
has traversed." 

" I accept your gift," said Noma, " in token that, if I have in aught 
been accessary to your fate, it was as the involuntary and grieving agent 
of other powers. Well did you say we direct not the current of the 
events which hurry us forward, and render our utmost efforts unavail- 
ing ; even as the wells of Tuftiloe 1 can wheel the stoutest vessel round 
and round, in despite of either sail or steerage. — Pacolet!" she ex- 
claimed, in a louder voice, " what, ho ! Pacolet !" 

A large stone, which lay at the side of the wall of the hovel, fell as 
she spoke, and to Cleveland's surprise, if not somewhat to his fear, the 
misshapen form of the dwarf was seen, like some overgrown reptile, ex- 
tricating himself out of a subterranean passage, the entrance to which 
the stone had covered. 

Noma, as if impressed by what Cleveland had said on the subject of 
her supernatural pretensions, was so far from endeavouring to avail her- 
self of this opportunity to enforce them that she hastened to explain 
the phenomenon he had witnessed. 

" Such passages," she said, " to which the entrances are carefully 
concealed, are frequently found in these islands — the places of retreat 
of the ancient inhabitants, where they sought refuge from the rage of 
the Normans, the pirates of that day. It was that you might avail 
yourself of this, in case of need, that I brought you hither. Should 
you observe signs of pursuit, you may either lurk in the bowels of the 
earth until it has passed by, or escape, if you will, through the farther 
entrance near the lake, by which Pacolet entered but now. — And now 
farewell ? Think on what I have said ; for as sure as you now move 
and breathe a living man, so surely is your doom fixed and sealed, un- 
less, within four-and-twenty hours, you have doubled the Burgh-head." 

" Farewell, mother !" said Cleveland, as she departed, bending a look 
upon him, in which, as he could perceive by the lamp, sorrow was mingled 
with displeasure. 

1 A well, in the language of those seas, denotes one of the whirlpools, or circular 
eddies, which wheel and boil with astonishing strength, and are very dangerous: 
Hence the distinction, in old English, betwixt wells and waves, the latter signifying 
the direct onward course of the tide, and the former the smooth, glassy, oily-looking 
whirlpools, whose strength seems to the eye almost irresistible. 



THE PIRATE. 299 

The interview, which thus concluded, left a strong effect even upon 
the mind of Cleveland, accustomed as he was to imminent dangers and 
to hair-breadth escapes. He in vain attempted to shake off the impres- 
sion left by the words of Noma, which he felt the more powerful, be- 
cause they were in a great measure divested of her wonted mystical 
tone, which he contemned. A thousand times he regretted that he had 
from time to time delayed the resolution, which he had long adopted, 
to quit his dreadful and dangerous trade ; and as often he firmly deter- 
mined that, could he but see Minna Troil once more, were it but for a 
last farewell, he would leave the sloop, as soon as his comrades were 
extricated from their perilous situation, endeavour to obtain the benefit 
of the King's pardon, and distinguish himself, if possible, in some more 
honourable course of warfare. 

This resolution, to which he again and again pledged himself, had at 
length a sedative effect on his mental perturbation, and, wrapt in his 
cloak, he enjoyed for a time that imperfect repose which exhausted 
nature demands as her tribute, even from those who are situated on the 
verge of the most imminent danger. But, how far soever the guilty 
may satisfy his own mind, and stupify the feelings of remorse, by such 
a conditional repentance, we may well question whether it is not, in 
the sight of Heaven, rather a presumptuous aggravation than an ex- 
piation of his sins. 

When Cleveland awoke, the gray dawn was already mingling with 
the twilight of an Orcadian night. He found himself on the verge of a 
beautiful sheet of water, which, close by the place where he had rested, 
was nearly divided by two tongues of land that approach each other 
from the opposing sides of the lake, and are in some degree united by 
the Bridge of Broisgar, a long causeway, containing openings to permit 
the flow and reflux of the tide. Behind him, and fronting to the bridge, 
stood that remarkable semicircle of huge upright stones, which has no 
rival in Britain, excepting the inimitable monument at Stoneheng'e. 
These immense blocks of stone, all of them above twelve feet, and 
several being even fourteen or fifteen feet in height, stood around the 
pirate in the gray light of the dawning, like the phantom forms of an- 
tediluvian giants, who, shrouded in the habiliments of the dead, came 
to revisit, by this pale light, the earth which they had plagued by their 
oppression and polluted by their sins, till they brought down upon it 
the vengeance of long-suffering Heaven. 1 

Cleveland was less interested by this singular monument of antiquity 
than by the distant view of Stromness, which he could as yet scarce 
discover. He lost no time in striking a light, by the assistance of one 
of his pistols, and some wet fern supplied him with fuel sufficient to 
make the appointed signal. It had been earnestly watched for on board 
the sloop ; for Goffe's incapacity became daily more apparent ; and even 
his most steady adherents agreed that it would be best to submit to 
Cleveland's command till they got back to the West Indies. 

Bunce, who came with the boat to bring off his favourite commander, 
danced, cursed, shouted, and spouted for joy when he saw him once 
more at freedom. " They had already," he said, " made some progress 
in victualling the sloop, and they might have made more, but for that 

i See Note B B. The Standing Stones ofStennis. 



300 THE PIRATE. 

drunken old swab, Goffe, who minded nothing hut splicing the main- 
brace." 

The boat's crew were inspired with the same enthusiasm, and rowed 
so hard that, although the tide was against them, and the air of wind 
failed, they soon placed Cleveland once more on the quarter-deck of the 
vessel which it was his misfortune to command. 

The first exercise of the Captain's power was to make known to 
Magnus Troil that he was at full freedom to depart — that he was will- 
ing to make him any compensation in his power for the interruption of 
his voyage to Kirkwall — and that Captain Cleveland was desirous, if 
agreeable to Mr Troil, to pay his respects to him on board his brig, 
thank him for former favours, and apologize for the circumstances at- 
tending his detention. 

To Bunce, who, as the most civilized of the crew, Cleveland had in- 
trusted this message, the old plain-dealing Udaller made the following 
answer: — "Tell your Captain that I should be glad to think he had 
never stopped any one upon the high sea, save such as have suffered as 
little as I have. Say, too, that if we are to continue friends, we shall 
be most so at a distance ; for I like the sound of his cannon-balls as 
little by sea as he woirid like the whistle of a bullet by land from my 
rifle-gun. Say, in a word, that I am sorry I was mistaken in him, and 
that he would have done better to have reserved for the Spaniard the 
usage he is bestowing on his countrymen." 

" And so that is your message, old Snapcholerick ?" said Bunce. — 
" Now stap my vitals if I have not a mind to do your errand for you 
over the left shoidder, and teach you more respect for gentlemen of 
fortune ! But I won't, and chiefly for the sake of your two pretty 
wenches, not to mention my old friend, Claud Halcro, the very visage 
of whom brought back all the old days of scene-shifting and candle- 
snuffing. So, good morrow to you, Gaffer Seal's-cap, and all is said 
that need pass between us." 

No sooner did the boat put off with the pirates, who left the brig, 
and now returned to their own vessel, than Magnus, in order to avoid 
reposing unnecessary confidence in the honour of these gentlemen of 
fortune, as they called themselves, got his brig under way ; and the 
wind coming favourably round, and increasing as the sun rose, he 
crowded all sail for Scalpa-flow, intending there to disembark, and go 
by land to Kirkwall, where he expected to meet his daughters and his 
friend Claud Halcro. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

Now, Emma, now the last reflection make, 
What thou wouldst follow, what thou must forsake. 
By our ill-omen'd stars and adverse Heaven, 
No middle object to thy choice is given. 

Henry and Emma. 

The sun was high in heaven ; the boats were busily fetching oft 
from the shore the promised supply of provisions and water, which, as 
many fishing skiffs were employed in the service, were got on board 



THE PIRATE. 301 

with unexpected speed, and stowed away by the crew of the sloop with 
equal despatch. All worked with good will ; for all, save Cleveland 
himself, were weary of a coast where every moment increased their 
danger, and where, which they esteemed a worse misfortune, there was 
no booty to be won. Bunce and Derrick took the immediate direction 
of this duty ; while Cleveland, walking the deck alone and in silence, 
only interfered from time to time to give some order which circum- 
stances required, and then relapsed into his own sad reflections. 

There are two sorts of men whom situations of guilt, and terror ? and 
commotion bring forward as prominent agents. The first are spirits so 
naturally moulded and fitted for deeds of horror that they stalk forth 
from their lurking-places like actual demons, to work in their native 
element, as the hideous apparition of the Bearded Man came forth at 
Versailles, on the memorable 5th October 1789, the delighted execu- 
tioner of the victims delivered up to him by a bloodthirsty rabble. But 
Cleveland belonged to the second class of these unfortunate beings, 
who are involved in evil rather by the concurrence of external circum- 
stances than by natural inclination, being, indeed, one in whom his 
first engaging in this lawless mode of life, as the follower of his father, 
nay, perhaps, even his pursuing it as his father's avenger, carried with 
it something of mitigation and apology ; — one also who often considered 
his guilty situation with horror, and had made repeated, though inef- 
fectual efforts, to escape from it. 

Such thoughts of remorse were now rolling in his mind, and he may 
be forgiven if recollections of Minna mingled with and aided them. He 
looked around, too, on his mates, and, profligate and hardened as he 
knew them to be, he could not think of their paying the penalty of his 
obstinacy. " We shall be ready to sail with the ebb tide," he said to 
himself — " why should I endanger these men by detaining them till the 
hour of danger, predicted by that singular woman, shall arrive '( Her 
intelligence, howsoever acquired, has been always strangely accurate ; 
and her warning was as solemn as if a mother were to apprize an erring 
son of his crimes, and of his approaching punishment. Besides, what 
chance is there that I can again see Minna ? She is at Kirkwall, 
doubtless, and to hold my course thither would be to steer right upon 
the rocks. No — I will not endanger these poor fellows — I will sail with 
the ebb tide. On the desolate Hebrides, or on the north-west coast of 
Ireland, I will leave the vessel, and return hither in some disguise — 
yet why should I return, since it will perhaps be only to see Minna the 
bride of Mordaunt 'I No— let the vessel sail with this ebb tide without 
me. I will abide and take my fate." 

His meditations were here interrupted by Jack Bunce, who, hailing 
him noble Captain, said they were ready to sail when he pleased. 

" When you please, Bunce ; for I shall leave the command with you, 
and go ashore at Stromness," said Cleveland. 

" You shall do no such matter, by Heaven !" answered Bunce. " The 
command with me, truly ! and how the devil am I to get the crew to 
obey me I Why, even Dick Fletcher rides rusty on me now and then. 
You know well enough that, without you, we shall be all at each other's 
throats in half an hour ; and if you desert us, what a rope's end does it 
signify whether we are destroyed by the king's cruisers or by each other ? 



302 THE PIEATE. 

Come, come, noble Captain, there are black-eyed girls enough in the 
world, but where will you find so tight a sea-boat as the little Favourite 
here, manned as she is with a set of tearing lads, 

' Fit to disturb the peace of all the world, 
And rule it when 'tis wildest?' " 

" You are a precious fool, Jack Bunce," said Cleveland, half angry, 
and, in despite of himself, half diverted by the false tones and exagge- 
rated gesture of the stage-struck pirate. 

"It may be so, noble Captain," answered Bunce, " and it may be 
that I have my comrades in my folly. Here are you, now, going to 
play All for Love, and the World well Lost, and yet you cannot bear 
a harmless bounce in blank verse. — Well, I can talk prose for the matter, 
for I have news enough to tell — and strange news, too — ay, and stir- 
ring news to boot." 

" Well, prithee deliver them (to speak thy own cant) like a man of 
this world." 

" The Stromness fishers will accept nothing for their provisions and 
trouble," said Bunce — " there is a wonder for you !" 

" And for what reason, I pray ?" said Cleveland ; " it is the first 
time I ever heard of cash being refused at a seaport." 

" True — they commonly lay the charges on as thick as if they were 
caulking. But here is the matter. The owner of the brig yonder, the 
father of your fair Imoinda, stands paymaster, by way of thanks for the 
civility with which we treated his daughters, and that we may not meet 
our due, as he calls it, on these shores." 

" It is like the frank-hearted old Udaller !" said Cleveland ; " but 
is he then at Stromness ! I thought he was to have crossed the island 
for Kirkwall." 

" He did so purpose," said Bunce ; " but more folks than King 
Duncan change the course of their voyage. He was no sooner ashore 
than he was met with by a meddling old witch of these parts, who has 
her finger in every man's pie, and by her counsel he changed his pur- 
pose of going to Kirkwall, and lies at anchor for the present in yonder 
white house, that you may see with your glass up the lake yonder. I 
am told the old woman clubbed also to pay for the sloop's stores. Why 
she should shell out the boards I cannot conceive an idea, except that 
she is said to be a witch, and may befriend us as so many devils." 

" But who told you all this ?" said Cleveland, without using his spy- 
glass, or seeming so much interested in the news as his comrade had 
expected. 

" Why," replied Bunce, " I made a trip ashore this morning to the 
village, and had a can with an old acquaintance, who had been sent 
by Master Troil to look after matters, and I fished it all out of him, 
and more, too, than I am desirous of telling you, noble Captain." 

" And who is your intelligencer ?" said Cleveland ; " has he got no 
name V 

" Why, he is an old, fiddling, foppish acquaintance of mine, called 
Halcro, if you must know," said Bunce. 

" Halcro !" echoed Cleveland, his eyes sparkling with surprise — 
" Claud Halcro ? — why, he went ashore at Liganess with Minna and 
her sister — Where are they?" 



THE PIRATE. 303 

" Why, that is just what I did not want to tell you," replied the con- 
fidant—" yet hang me if I can help it, for I cannot baulk a fine situa- 
tion. — That start had a fine effect— Oh, ay, and the spy-glass is turned 
on the House of Stennis now /—Well, yonder they are, it must be 
• confessed — indifferently well guarded too. Some of the old witch's 
people are come over from that mountain of an island — Hoy, as they 
call it ; and the old gentleman has got some fellows under arms himself. 
But what of all that, noble Captain ! — give you but the word and we 
snap up the wenches to-night — clap them under hatches — man the cap- 
stern by daybreak — up top-sails— and sail with the morning tide." 

" You sicken me with your villainy," said Cleveland, turning away 
from him. 

" TJmph ! — villainy, and sicken you !" said Bunce. — Now, pray, what 
have I said but what has been done a thousand times by gentlemen of 
fortune like ourselves '?" 

" Mention it not again," said Cleveland ; then took a turn along the 
deck in deep meditation, and, coming back to Bunce, took him by the 
hand, and said, "Jack, I will see her once more." 

" With all my heart," said Bunce, sullenly. 

" Once more will I see her, and it may be to abjure at her feet this 
cursed trade, and expiate my offences " 

" At the gallows !" said Bunce, completing the sentence — " With all 
my heart ! — confess and be hanged is a most reverend proverb." 

" Kay — but, dear Jack !" said Cleveland. 

" Dear Jack !" answered Bunce, in the same sullen tone — " a dear 
sight you have been to dear Jack. But hold your own course — I have 
done with caring for you for ever — I should but sicken you with my 
villainous counsels." 

"Now must I soothe this silly fellow as if he were a spoiled child," 
said Cleveland, speaking at Bunce, but not to him ; " and yet he has 
sense enough, and bravery enough, too ; and one would think kind- 
ness enough to know that men don't pick their words during a gale of 
wind." 

" Why, that's true, Clement," said Bunce, " and there is my hand 
upon it— And, now I think upon't, you shall have your last interview, 
i for it's out of my line to prevent a parting scene ; and what signifies a 
tide — we can sail by to-morrow's ebb as well as by this." 

Cleveland sighed, for Noma's prediction rushed on his mind ; but 
the opportunity of a last meeting with Minna was too tempting to be 
resigned either for presentiment or prediction. 

" I will go presently ashore to the place where they all are," said 
Bunce ; " and the payment of these stores shall serve me for a pretext ; 
and I will carry any letters or message from you to Minna with the 
dexterity of a valet de chambre." 

" But they have armed men — you may be in danger," said Cleveland. 

" Not a whit — not a whit," replied Bunce. " I protected the wenches 
when they were in my power ; I warrant their father will neither wrong 
me nor see me wronged." 

" You say true," said Cleveland, " it is not in his nature. I will in- 
stantly write a note to Minna." And he ran down to the cabin for 
that purpose, where he wasted much paper, ere, with a trembling hand 



304 THE PIRATE. 

and throbbing heart, he achieved such a letter as he hoped might pre- 
vail on Minna to permit him a farewell meeting on the succeeding 
morning. 

His adherent, Bunce, in the meanwhile, sought out Fletcher, of whose 
support to second any motion whatever he accounted himself perfectly 
sure ; and followed by this trusty satellite, he intruded himself on the 
awful presence of Hawkins the boatswain, and Derrick the quarter- 
master, who were regaling themselves with a can of rumbo, after the 
fatiguing duty of the day. 

" Here comes he can tell us," said Derrick. — " So, Master Lieutenant, 
for so we must call you now, I think, let us have a peep into your 
counsels — When will the anchor be a-trip ?" 

" When it pleases Heaven, Master Quarter-Master," answered Bunce, 
" for I know no more than the stern-post." 

" Why, d — n my buttons," said Derrick, " do we not weigh this 
tide?" 

" Or to-morrow's tide, at farthest ?" said the Boatswain — " Why, 
what have we been slaving the whole company for, to get all these 
stores aboard ?" 

" Gentlemen," said Bunce, " you are to know that Cupid has laid 
our Captain on board, carried the vessel, and nailed down his wits under 
hatches." 

" What sort of play-stuff is all this ?" said the Boatswain gruffly. 
" If you have anything to tell us, say it in a word, like a man." 

" Howsomdever," said Fletcher, " I always think Jack Bunce speaks 
like a man, and acts like a man too— and so, d'ye see " 

" Hold your peace, dear Dick, best of bully backs be silent," said 
Bunce — " Gentlemen, in one word, the Captain is in love." 

" Why, now, only think of that !" said the Boatswain ; "not but that 
I have been in love as often as any man when the ship was laid up." 

" Well, but," continued Bunce,' " Captain Cleveland is in love — Yes 
— Prince Volscius is in love ; and, though that's the cue for laughing 
on the stage, it is no laughing matter here. He expects to meet the 
girl to-morrow for the last time ; and that, we all know, leads tc 
another meeting, and another, and so on till the Halcyon is down on 
us, and then we may look for more kicks than halfpence." 

" By — ," said the Boatswain, with a sounding oath, " we'll have a 
mutiny, and not allow him to go ashore,— eh, Derrick ?" 

" And the best way, too," said Derrick. 

" What d'ye think of it, Jack Bunce ?" said Fletcher, in whose ears 
this counsel sounded very sagely, but who still bent a wistful look upon 
his companion. 

" Why, look ye, gentlemen," said Bunce, " I will mutiny none, and 
stap my vitals if any of you shall !" 

" Why, then I won't, for one," said Fletcher; " but what are we to 
do, since howsomdever " 

" Stopper your jaw, Dick, will you ?" said Bunce. — "Now, Boatswain, 
I am partly of your mind that the Captain must be brought to reason 
by a little wholesome force. But you all know he has the spirit of a 
lion, and will do nothing unless he is allowed to hold on his own course. 
Well, I'll go ashore and make this appointment. The girl comes to 



THE PIRATE. 305 

the rendezvous in the morning, and the Captain goes ashore — we take 
a good boat's crew with us, to row against tide and current, and we will 
be ready at the signal to jump ashore and bring off the Captain and 
the girl, whether they will or no. The pet-child will not quarrel with 
us, since we bring off his whirligig alongst with him ; and if he is still 
fractious, why, we will weigh anchor without his orders, and let him 
come to his senses at leisure, and know his friends another time." 

" Why this has a face with it, Master Derrick," said Hawkins. 

"Jack Bunce is always right," said Fletcher ; " howsomdever, the 
Captain will shoot some of us, that is certain." 

"Hold your jaw, Dick," said Bunce; "pray, who the devil cares, 
io you think, whether you are shot or hanged ?•" 

" Why, it don't much argufy for the matter of that," replied Dick ; 
"howsomdever " 

" Be quiet, I tell you," said his inexorable patron, " and hear me 
out. — We will take him at unawares, so that he shall neither have time 
to use cutlass nor pops ; and I myself, for the dear love I bear him, 
svill be the first to lay him on his back. There is a nice tight-going 
'At of a pinnace that is a consort of this chase of the Captain's, — if I 
lave an opportunity I'll snap her up on my own account." 

" Yes, yes," said Derrick, " let you alone for keeping on the look-out 
"or your own comforts." 

" Faith, nay," said Bunce, " I only snatch at them when they come 
airly in my way, or are purchased by dint of my own wit ; and none 
)f you could have fallen on such a plan as this. We shall have the 
Captain with us, head, hand, and heart, and all, besides making a scene 
it to finish a comedy. So I will go ashore to make the appointment, 
md do you possess some of the gentlemen who are still sober, and fit to 
be trusted, with the knowledge of our intentions." 

Bunce, with his friend Fletcher, departed accordingly, and the two 
veteran pirates remained looking at each other in silence, until the 
Boatswain spoke at last. " Blow me, Derrick, if I like these two daffa- 
landilly young fellows ; they are not the true breed. Why, they are 
qo more like the rovers I have known than this sloop is to a first-rate. 
Why, there was old Sharpe that read prayers to his ship's company 
every Sunday, what would he have said to have heard it proposed to 
bring two wenches on board ?" 

"And what would tough old Black Beard have said," answered his 
companion, "if they had expected to keep them to themselves? 
They deserve to be made to walk the plank for their impudence ; or to 
be tied back to back and set a-diving, and I care not how soon." 

" Ay, but who is to command the ship, then?" said Hawkins. 
• " W hy, what ails you at old Goffe ? " answered Derrick. 

" Why, he has sucked the monkey so long and so often," said the 
Boatswain, " that the best of him is buffed. He is little better than an 
old woman when he is sober, and he is roaring mad when he is drunk 
—we have had enough of Goffe." 

"Why, then, what d'ye say to yourself, or to me, Boatswain?" 
demanded the Quarter-master. " I am content to toss up for it." 
t " Rot it, no," answered the Boatswain, after a moment's considera- 
tion ; " if we were within reach of the trade-winds, we might either of 

u 



306 THE PIRATE. 

us make a shift ; but it will take all Cleveland's navigation to get us 
there ; and so, I think, there is nothing like Bunce's project for the 
present. Hark, he calls for the boat— I must go on deck and have her 
lowered for his honour, d — n his eyes." 

The boat was lowered accordingly, made its voyage up the lake with 
safety, and landed Bunce within a few hundred yards of the old man- 
sion-house of Stennis. Upon arriving in front of the house, he found 
that hasty measures had been taken to put it in a state of defence, the 
16wer windows being barricaded, with places left for use of musketry, 
and a ship-gun being placed so as to command the entrance, which was 
besides guarded by two sentinels. Bunce demanded admission at the 
gate, Avhich was briefly and unceremoniously refused to him, with an 
exhortation to him, at the same time, to be gone about his business 
before worse came of it. As he continued, however, importunately to 
insist on seeing some one of the family, and stated his business to be 
of the most urgent nature, Claud Halcro at length appeared, and, with 
more peevishness than belonged to his usual manner, that admirer of 
glorious John expostulated with his old acquaintance upon his pertina- 
cious folly. 

" You are," he said, " like foolish moths fluttering about a candle, 
which is sure at last to consume you." 

"And you," said Bunce, "are a set of stingless drones, whom we 
can smoke out of your defences at our pleasure with half-a-dozen of 
hand-grenades." 

"Smoke a fool's head!" said Halcro ; "take my advice, and mind 
your own matters, er there will be those upon you will smoke you to 
purpose. Either begone, or tell me in two words what you want ; for 
you are like to receive no welcome here save from a blunderbuss. We 
are men enough of ourselves ; and here is young Mordaunt Mertoun 
come from Hoy,' whom your Captain so nearly murdered." 

" Tush, man," said Bunce, " he did but let out a little malapert 
blood." ' 

" We want no such phlebotomy here," said Claud Halcro ; " and, 
besides, your patient turns out to be nearer allied to us than either you 
or we thought of ; so you may think how little welcome the Captain or 
any of his crew are like to be here." . 

" Well ; but what if I bring money for the stores sent on board ?" 

" Keep it till it is asked of you," said Halcro. " There are two 
bad paymasters— he that pays too soon, and he that does not pay at 
all." 

" Well, then, let me at least give our thanks to the donor," said 
Bunce. 

" Keep them, too, till they are asked for," answered the poet. 

" So this is all the welcome I have of you for old acquaintance' sake '!" 
said Bunce. 

"Why, what can I do for you. Master Altamont?" said Halcro, 
somewhat moved—" If young Mordaunt had had his own will, he would 
have welcomed you with 'the red Burgundy, Number a thousand.' 
For God's sake begone, else the stage direction will be, Enter guard, 
and seize Altamont." 

" I will not give you the trouble," said Bunce, " but will make my 



THE PIRATE. 307 

exit instantly. — Stay a moment — I had almost forgot that I have a 
slip of paper for the tallest of your girls there — Minna, ay, Minna 
is her name. It is a farewell from Captain Cleveland — you cannot re- 
fuse to give it her." 

"Ah, poor fellow!" said Halcro — "I comprehend — I comprehend — 
Farewell, fair Armida — 

' 'Mid pikes and 'mid bullets, 'mid tempests and fire, 
The danger is less than in hopeless desire.' 

Tell me but this — is there poetry in it ?" 

"Chokeful to the seal, with song, sonnet, and elegy," answered 
Bunce ; " but let her have it cautiously and secretly." 

" Tush, man ! — teach me to deliver a billet-doux ! — me, who have 
been in the Wit's Coffee-house, and have seen all the toasts of the Kit- 
Cat Club ! — Minna shall have it, then, for old acquaintance' sake, Mr 
Aitamont, and for your Captain's sake, too, who has less of the core 
of devil about him than his trade requires. There can be no harm 
in a farewell letter." 

" Farewell, then, old boy, for ever and a day !" said Bunce ; and seiz- 
ing the poet's hand, gave it so hearty a gripe, that he left him roaring, 
and shaking his fist, like a dog when a hot cinder has fallen on his foot. 

Leaving the rover to return on board the vessel, we remain with 
the family of Magnus Troil, assembled at their kinsman's mansion of 
Stennis, where they maintained a constant and careful watch against 
surprise. 

Mordaunt Mertoun had been received with much kindness by Magnus 
Troil, when he came to his assistance, with a small party of Noma's 
dependants, placed by her under his command. The Udaller was easily 
satisfied that the reports instilled into his ears by the Jagger, zealous 
to augment his favour towards his more profitable customer, Cleveland, 
by diminishing that of Mertoun, were without foundation. They had, 
indeed, been confirmed by the good Lady Glowrowrum, and by common 
fame, both of whom were pleased to represent Mordaunt Mertoun as an 
arrogant pretender to the favour of the sisters of Burgh-Westra, who 
only hesitated, sultan-like, on whom he should bestow the handker- 
chief. But common fame, Magnus considered, was a common liar, and 
he was sometimes disposed (where scandal was concerned) to regard the 
good Lady Glowrowrimi as rather an uncommon specimen of the same 
genus. He therefore received Mordaunt once more into full favour, 
listened with much surprise to the claim which Noma laid to the young 
man's duty, and with no less interest to her intention of surrendering 
to him the considerable property which she had inherited from her 
father. Nay, it is even probable that, though he gave no immediate 
answer to her hints concerning an union betwixt his eldest daughter 
and her heir, he might think such an alliance recommended, as well by 
the young man's personal merits, as by the chance it gave of reuniting 
the very large estate which had been divided betwixt his own father 
and that of Noma. At all events, the Udaller received his young 
friend with much kindness, and he and the proprietor of the mansion 
joined in intrusting to him, as the youngest and most active of the 
party, the charge of commanding the night-watch, and relieving the 
sentinels around the House of Stennis. 



308 THE PIRATE. 



CHAPTER XL. 



Of an outlawc, this is the lawe — 

That men him take and bind, 
"Without pitie hang'd to be, 

And waive with the wind. 

The Ballad of the Nut Brown Maid. 

Mordaunt had caused the sentinels who had been on duty since 
midnight to be relieved ere the peep of day, and having given directions 
that the guard should be again changed at sunrise, he had retired to a 
small parlour, and, placing his arms beside him, was slumbering in an 
easy-chair, when he felt himself pulled by the watch-cloak in which he 
was enveloped. 

"Is it sunrise," said he, "already?" as, starting up, he discovered 
the first beams lying level upon the horizon. 

" Mordaunt !" said a voice, every note of which thrilled to his heart. 

He turned his eyes on the speaker, and Brenda Troil, to his joyful 
astonishment, stood before him. As he was about to address her 
eagerly, he was checked by observing the signs of sorrow and discom- 
posure in her pale cheeks, trembling lips, and brimful eyes. 

" Mordaunt," she said, " you must do Minna and me a favour — you 
must allow us to leave the house quietly, and without alarming any 
one, in order to go as far as the Standing Stones of Stennis." 

"What freak can this be, dearest Brenda?'" 
amazed at the request — " some Orcadian observance of superstition, 
perhaps; but the time is too dangerous, and my charge from your 
father too strict, that I should permit you to pass without his consent. 
Consider, dearest Brenda, I am a soldier on duty, and must obey 
orders." 

"Mordaunt," said Brenda, "this is no jesting matter — Minna's 
reason, nay, Minna's life, depends on your giving us this permission." 

"And for what purpose V i said Mordaunt ; "let me at least know 
that." 

" For a wild and a desperate purpose," replied Brenda ; " it is that 
she may meet Cleveland." 

" Cleveland !" said Mordaunt ; " should the villain come ashore, he 
shall be welcomed with a shower of rifle-balls. Let me within a hundred 
yards of him," he added, " grasping his piece, " and all the mischief 
he has done me shall be balanced with an ounce bullet !" 

" His death will drive Minna frantic," said Brenda ; " and he who 
injures Minna, Brenda will never again look upon." 

" This is madness — raving madness !" said Mordaunt ; " consider 
your honour — consider your duty." 

" I can consider nothing but Minna's danger," said Brenda, breaking 
into a flood of tears ; "her former illness was nothing to the state she 
has been in all night. She holds in her hand his letter, written in 
characters of fire rather than of ink, imploring her to see him for a last 
farewell, as she would save a mortal body, and an immortal soul; 
pledging himself for her safety ; and declaring no power shall force him 
form the coast till he has seen her. You must let us pass." 



THE PIRATE. 309 

"It is impossible!" replied Mordaunt, in great perplexity; "this 
ruffian has imprecations enough, doubtless, at his fingers' ends — but 
what better pledge has he to offer ? I cannot permit Minna to go." 

" I suppose," said Brenda, somewhat reproachfully, while she dried 
her tears, yet still continued sobbing, " that there is something in what 
Noma spoke of betwixt Minna and you ; and that you are too jealous 
of this poor wretch to allow him even to speak with her an instant be- 
fore his departure." 

" You are unjust," said Mordaunt, hurt, and yet somewhat flattered 
by her suspicions, — " you are as unjust as you are imprudent. You 
know — you cannot but know — that Minna is chiefly dear to me as your 
sister. Tell me, Brenda — and tell me truly — if I aid you in this folly, 
have you no suspicion of the Pirate's faith I" 

" No, none," said Brenda ; " if I had any, do you think I would urge 
you thus ? He is wild and unhappy, but I think we may in this trust 
him." 

" Is the appointed place the Standing Stones, and the time day- 
break ?" again demanded Mordaunt. 

" It is, and the time is come," said Brenda — " for Heaven's sake let 
us depart !" 

" I will myself," said Mordaunt, "relieve the sentinel at the front 
door for a few minutes, and suffer you to pass. — You will not protract 
this interview, so full of danger'^" 

" We will not," said Brenda ; " and you, on your part, will not avail 
yourself of this unhappy man's venturing hither to harm or to seize 
him ?" 

" Rely on my honour," said Mordaunt — " He shall have no harm, 
unless he offers any." 

" Then I go to call my sister," said Brenda, and quickly left the 
apartment. 

Mordaunt considered the matter for an instant, and then going to 
the sentinel at the front door he desired him to run instantly to the 
main-guard, and order the whole to turn out with their arms — to see 
the order obeyed, and to return when they were in readiness. Mean- 
time, he himself, he said, would remain upon the post. 

During the interval of the sentinel's absence, the front door was 
slowly opened, and Minna and Brenda appeared, muffled in their 
mantles. The former leaned on her sister, and kept her face bent on 
the ground as one who felt ashamed of the step she was about to take. 
Brenda also passed her lover in silence, but threw back upon him a 
look of gratitude and affection, which doubled, if possible, his anxiety 
for their safety. 

The sisters, in the meanwhile, passed out of sight of the house ; when 
Minna, whose step till that time had been faint and feeble, began to 
erect her person, and to walk with a pace so firm and so swift that 
Brenda, who had some difficulty to keep up with her, could not forbear 
remonstrating on the imprudence of hurrying her spirits, and exhaust- 
ing her force by such unnecessary haste. 

" Fear not, my dearest sister," said Minna ; " the spirit which I now 
feel will, and must, sustain me through the dreadful interview. I could 
not but move with a drooping head and dejected pace while I was in 



310 THE PIRATE. 

'view of one who must necessarily deem me deserving of his pity or his 
scorn. But you know, my dearest Brenda, and Mordaunt shall also 
know, that the love I bore to that unhappy man was as pure as the 
rays of that sun that is now reflected on the waves. And I dare attest 
that glorious sun and yonder blue heaven to bear me witness, that, but 
to urge him to change his unhappy course of life, I had not, for all the 
temptations this round world holds, ever consented to see him more." 

As she spoke thus, in a tone which afforded much confidence to 
Brenda, the sisters attained the summit of a rising ground, whence they 
commanded a full view of the Orcadian Stonehenge, consisting of a huge 
circle and semicircle of the Standing Stones, as they are called, which 
already glimmered a grayish white in the rising sun, and projected far 
to the westward their long gigantic shadows. At another time, the 
scene would have operated powerfully on the imaginative mind of 
Minna, and interested the curiosity at least of her sensitive sister. 
But, at this moment, neither was at leisure to receive the impressions 
which this stupendous monument of antiquity is so well calculated to 
impress on the feelings of those who behold it ; for they saw in the 
lower lake, beneath what is termed the Bridge of Broisgar, a boat well 
manned and armed, which had disembarked one of its crew, who ad- 
vanced alone, and wrapped in a naval cloak, towards that monumental 
circle which they themselves were about to reach from another quarter. 

" They are many, and they are armed," said the startled Brenda, 
in a whisper to her sister. 

" It is for precaution's sake," answered Minna, " which, alas ! then- 
condition renders but too necessary. Fear no treachery from him — 
that, at least, is not his vice." 

As she spoke, or shortly afterwards, she attained the centre of the 
circle, on which, in the midst of the tall erect pillars of rude stone that 
are raised around, lies one flat and prostrate, supported by short stone- 
pillars, of which some relics are still visible, that had once served, per- 
haps, the purpose of an altar. 

" Here," she said, " in heathen times (if we may believe legends 
which have cost me but too dear) our ancestors offered sacrifices to 
heathen deities — and here will I, from my soul, renounce, abjure, and 
offer up to a better and a more merciful God than was known to them, 
the vain ideas with which my youthful imagination has been seduced." 

She stood by the prostrate table of stone, and saw Cleveland advance 
towards her with a timid pace and a downcast look, as different from bis 
usual character and bearing, as Minna's high air, and lofty demeanour, 
and calm contemplative posture were distant from those of the love-lorn 
and broken-hearted maiden, whose weight had almost borne down the 
support of her sister as she left the House of Stennis. If the belief of 
those is true who assign these singular monuments exclusively to the 
Druids, Minna might have seemed the Haxa, or high priestess of the 
order, from whom some champion of the tribe expected inauguration. 
Or, if we hold the circles of Gothic and Scandinavian origin, she might 
have seemed a descended Vision of Freya, the spouse of the Thunder- 
ing Deity, before whom some bold Sea King or champion bent with an 
awe whicn no mere mortal terror could have inflicted upon him. 
Brenda, overwhelmed with inexpressible fear and doubt, remained a 



THE PIRATE. 31 1 

pace or two behind, anxiously observing the motions of Cleveland, and 
attending to nothing around save to him and to her sister. 

Cleveland approached within two yards of Minna, and bent his head 
to the ground. There was a dead pause, until Minna said, in a firm 
but melancholy tone, " Unhappy man, why didst thou seek this aggra- 
vation of our woe 1 Depart in peace, and may Heaven direct thee to 
a better course than that which thy life has yet held !" 

" Heaven will not aid me," said Cleveland, " excepting by your 
voice. I came hither rude and wild, scarce knowing that my trade, 
my desperate trade, was more criminal in the sight of man or of 
Heaven than that of those privateers whom your law acknowledges. 
I was bred in it, and, but for the wishes you have encouraged me to 
form, I should have perhaps died in it, desperate and impenitent. Oh, 
do not throw me from you ! let me do something to redeem what I have 
done amiss, and do not leave your own work half-finished !" 

" Cleveland," said Minna, " I will not reproach you with abusing 
my inexperience, or with availing yourself of those delusions which the 
credulity of early youth had flung around me, and which led me to con- 
found your fatal course of life with the deeds of our ancient heroes. 
Alas ! when I saw your followers, that illusion was no more ! — but I 
do not upbraid you with its having existed. Go, Cleveland ; detach 
yourself from those miserable wretches with whom you are associated, 
and believe me, that if Heaven yet grants you the means of distinguish- 
ing your name by one good or glorious action, there are eyes left in 
these lonely islands that will .weep as much for joy, as — as — they must 
now do for sorrow." 

" And is this all ?" said Cleveland ; " and may not I hope, that if I 
extricate myself from my present associates — if I can gain my pardon 
by being as bold in the right, as I have been too often in the wrong 
cause — if, after a term, I care not how long-— but still a term which 
may have an end, I can boast of having redeemed my fame — may I not 
— may I not hope that Minna may forgive what my God and my coun- 
try shall have pardoned V 

" Never, Cleveland, never !" said Minna, with the utmost firmness ; 
" on this spot we part, and part for ever, and part without longer in- 
dulgence. Think of me as of one dead if you continue as you now are ; 
but if, which may Heaven grant, you change your fatal course, think 
of me then as one whose morning and evening prayers will be for your 
happiness, though she has lost her own. Farewell, Cleveland !" 

He kneeled, overpowered by his own bitter feelings, to take the hand 
which she held out to him, and in that instant his confidant Bunce, 
starting from behind one of the large upright pillars, his eyes wet with 
tears, exclaimed — 

" Never saw such a parting scene on any stage ! But I'll be d — d if 
you make your exit as you expect !" 

And so saying, ere Cleveland could employ either remonstrance or 
resistance, and indeed before he could get upon his feet, he easily se- 
cured him by pulling him down on his back, so that two or three of the 
boat's crew seized him by the arms and legs, and began to hurry him 
towards the lake. Minna and Brenda shrieked, and attempted to fly ; 
but Derrick snatched up the former with as much ease as a falcon 



312 THE PIRATE. 

pounces on a pigeon, while Bunce, with an oath or two which were in- 
tended to be of a consolatory nature, seized on Brenda ; and the whole 
party, with two or three of the other pirates, who, stealing from the 
water-side, had accompanied them on the ambuscade, began hastily 
to run towards the boat, which was left in charge of two of their num- 
ber. Their course, however, was unexpectedly interrupted, and their 
criminal purpose entirely frustrated. 

When Mordaunt Mertoun had turned out his guard in arms, it was 
with the natural purpose of watching over the safety of the two sisters. 
They had accordingly closely observed the motions of the pirates, and 
when they saw so many of them leave the boat and steal towards the 
place of rendezvous assigned to Cleveland, they naturally suspected 
treachery, and by cover of an old hollow way or trench, which perhaps 
had anciently been connected with the monumental circle, they had 
thrown themselves unperceived between the pirates and their boat. At 
the cries of the sisters, they started up and placed themselves in the 
way of the ruffians, presenting their pieces, which, notwithstanding, 
they dared not fire, for fear of hurting the young ladies, secured as they 
were in the rude grasp of the marauders. Mordaunt, however, ad- 
vanced with the speed of a wild deer on Bunce, who, loath to quit his 
prey, yet unable to defend himself otherwise, turned to this side and 
that alternately, exposing Brenda to the blows which Mordaunt offered 
at him. This defence, however, proved in vain against a youth pos- 
sessed of the lightest foot and most active hand ever known in Zetland, 
and after a feint or tAvo Mordaunt brought the pirate to the ground 
with a stroke from the butt of the carabine, which he dared not use 
otherwise. At the same time fire-arms were discharged on either side 
by those who were liable to no such cause of forbearance, and the pirates 
who had hold of Cleveland dropped him naturally enough, to provide 
for their own defence or retreat. But they only added to the numbers 
of their enemies ; for Cleveland, perceiving Minna in the arms of Der- 
rick, snatched her from the ruffian with one hand, and with the other 
shot him dead on the spot. Two or three more of the pirates fell or 
were taken, the rest fled to their boat, pushed off, then turned their 
broadside to the shore and fired repeatedly on the Orcadian party, 
which they returned, with little injury on either side. Meanwhile 
Mordaunt, having first seen that the sisters were at liberty and in full 
flight towards the house, advanced on Cleveland with his cutlass drawn. 
The pirate presented a pistol, and calling out at the same time — " Mor- 
daunt, I never missed my aim," he fired into the air, and threw it into 
the lake ; then drew his cutlass, brandished it round his head, and 
flung that also as far as his arm could send it in the same direction. 
Yet such was the universal belief of his personal strength and resources 
that Mordaunt still used precaution, as, advancing on Cleveland, he 
asked if he surrendered. 

" I surrender to no man," said the Pirate captain ; " but you may 
see I have thrown away my weapons." 

He was immediately seized by some of the Orcadians without his 
offering any resistance ; but the instant interference of Mordaunt pre- 
vented his being roughly treated or bound. The victors conducted him 
to a well-secured upper apartment in the House of Stennis, and placed 



THE PIRATE. 313 

a sentinel at the door. Bunce and Fletcher, both of whom had been 
stretched on the field during the skirmish, were lodged in the same 
chamber ; and two prisoners, who appeared of lower rank, were con- 
fined in a vault belonging to the mansion. 

Without pretending to describe the joy of Magnus Troil, who, when 
awakened by the noise and firing, found his daughters safe, and his 
enemy a prisoner, we shall only say it was so great that he forgot, for 
the time at least, to inquire what circumstances were those which had 
placed them in danger ; and that he hugged Mordaunt to his breast a 
thousand times, as their preserver ; and swore as often by the bones of 
his sainted namesake, that if he had a thousand daughters, so tight a 
lad, and so true a friend, should have the choice of them, let Lady 
Glowrowrum say what she would. 

A very different scene was passing in the prison-chamber of the un- 
fortunate Cleveland and his associates. The Captain sat .by the window, 
his eyes bent on the prospect of the sea which it presented, and was 
seemingly so intent on it as to be insensible of the presence of the 
others. Jack Bunce stood meditating some ends of verse, in order to 
make his advances towards a reconciliation with Cleveland ; for he 
began to be sensible, from the consequences, that the part he had played 
towards his Captain, however well intended, was neither lucky in its 
issue, nor likely to be well taken. His admirer and adherent Fletcher 
lay half-asleep, as it seemed, on a truckle-bed in the room, without the 
least attempt to interfere in the conversation which ensuech 

" Nay, but speak to me, Clement," said the penitent Lieutenant, 
" if it be but to swear at me for my stupidity, — 

' What! not an oath? — Nay, then the world goes hard, 
If Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath.' " 

" I prithee peace and begone !" said Cleveland ; " I have one bosom 
friend left yet, and you will make me bestow its contents on you, or on 
myself." 

" I have it !" said Bunce, " I have it V and on he went in the vein 
of Jaffier — 

" 'Then, hy the hell I merit, I'll not leave thee, 
Till to thyself at least thou'rt reconciled, 
However thy resentment deal with me!'" 

" I pray you once more to be silent," said Cleveland — " Is it not 
enough that you have undone me with your treachery, but you must 
stun me with your silly buffoonery ? — I would not have believed you 
would have lifted a finger against me, Jack, of any man or devil in 
yonder unhappy ship." 

" Who, I ?" exclaimed Bunce, " I lift a finger against you ! — and if 
I did it was in pure love, and to make you the happiest fellow that 
ever trocle a deck, with your mistress beside you, and fifty fine fellows 
at your command. Here is Dick Fletcher can bear witness I did all 
for the best, if he would but speak, instead of lolloping there like a 
Dutch dogger laid up to be careened. — Get up, Dick, and speak for me, 
won't you f 

" Why, yes, Jack Bunce ;" answered Fletcher, raising himself with 
difficulty and speaking feebly, " I will if I can — and I always knew 
you spoke and did for the best— but howsomdever, d'ye see, it has 



314 THE PIRATE. 

turned out for the worst for me this time, for I am bleeding to death, 
I think." 

" You cannot be such an ass ?" said Jack Bunce, springing to his 
assistance, as did Cleveland. But human aid came too late — he sunk 
back on the bed, and, tinning on his face, expired without a groan. 

" I always thought him a d — d fool," said Bunce, as he wiped a tear 
from his eye, " but never such a consummate idiot as to hop the perch 
so sillily. I have lost the best follower" — and he again wiped his eye. 

Cleveland looked on the dead body, the rugged features of which had 
remained unaltered by the death-pang — " A bull-dog," he said, " of 
the true British breed, and, with a better counsellor, would have been 
a better man." 

" You may say that of some other folks, too, Captain, if you are 
minded to do them justice," said Bunce. 

" I may indeed, and especially of yourself," said Cleveland in reply. 

"Why then, say, Jack, I forgive you, said Bunce ; " it's but a 
short word, and soon spoken." 

" I forgive you from all my soul, Jack," said Cleveland, who had 
resumed his situation at the window ; " and the rather that your folly 
is of little consequence — the morning is come that must bring ruin on 
us all." 

" What ! you are thinking of the old woman's prophecy you spoke 
of ?" said Bunce. 

" It will be soon accomplished," answered Cleveland. " Come hither ; 
what do you take yon large square-rigged vessel for, that you see doub- 
ling the headland on the east, and opening the Bay of Stromness?" 

" Why, I can't make her well out," said Bunce,* " but yonder is old 
Goffe takes her for a West Indiaman loaded with rum and sugar, I sup- 
pose, for d — n me if he does not slip cable and stand out to her !" 

" Instead of running into the shoal- water, which was his only safety," 
said Cleveland — " The fool ! the dotard ! the drivelling, drunken idiot ! 
— he will get his flip hot enough ; for yon is the Halcyon— See, she 
hoists her colours and fires a broadside ! and there will soon be an end 
of the Fortune's Favourite ! I only hope they will fight her to the last 
plank. The Boatswain used to be staunch enough, and so is Goffe. 
though an incarnate demon. — Now she shoots away, with all the sa" 
she can spread, and that shows some sense." 

" Up goes the Jolly Hodge, the old black flag, with the death's he 
and hour-glass, and that shows some spunk," added his comrade, 

a The hour-glass is turned for us, Jack, for this bout — our sand is 
running fast. — Fire away yet, my roving lads ! — The deep sea or the 
blue sky, rather than a rope and a yard-arm." 

There was a moment of anxious and dead silence ; the sloop, though 
hard pressed, maintaining still a running fight, and the frigate continu- 
ing in full chase, but scarce returning a shot. At length the vessels 
n eared each other, so as to show that the man-of-war intended to board 
the sloop, instead of sinking her, probably to secure the plunder which 
might be in the pirate vessel. 

" Now, Goffe — now, Boatswain !" exclaimed Cleveland, in an ecstasy 
of impatience, and as if they could have heard his commands, " stand 
by sheets and tacks— rake lier with a broadside, when you are under 



ist 

fe i 

ail 

ad 

I 



THE PIRATE. 315 

her bows, then about ship, and go off on the other tack like a wild-goose. 
The sails shiver — the helm's a-lee — Ah !— deep-sea sink the lubbers ! — 
they miss stays, and the frigate runs them aboard !" 

Accordingly the various manoeuvres of the chase had brought them 
so near, that Cleveland, with his spy-glass, could see the man-of-war's - 
men boarding by the yards and bowsprits, in irresistible numbers, their 
naked cutlasses flashing in the sun, when, at that critical moment, both 
ships were enveloped in a cloud of thick black smoke, which suddenly 
arose on board the captured pirate. 

" Exeunt omnes," said Bunce, with clasped hands. 

"There went the Fortune's Favourite, ship and crew," said Cleve- 
land, at the same instant. 

But the smoke immediately clearing away, showed that the damage 
had only been partial, and that, from want of a sufficient quantity of 
powder, the pirates had failed in their desperate attempt to blow up 
their vessel with the Halcyon. 

Shortly after the action was over, Captain Weatherport of the Halcyon 
sent an officer and a party of marines to the House of Stennis, to de- 
mand from the little garrison the pirate seamen who were their prisoners, 
and, in particular, Cleveland and Bunce, who acted as Captain and 
Lieutenant of the gang. 

This was a demand which was not to be resisted, though Magnus 
Troil could have wished sincerely that the roof under Avhich he lived 
had been allowed as an asylum at least to Cleveland. But the officer's 
orders were peremptory ; and he added, it was Captain Weatherport' s 
intention to land the other prisoners, and send the whole, with a suffi- 
cient escort, across the island to Kirkwall, in order to undergo an ex- 
amination there before the civil authorities, previous to their being sent 
off to London for trial at the High Court of Admiralty. Magnus could 
therefore only intercede for good usage to Cleveland, and that he might 
not be stripped or plundered, which the officer, struck by his good mien, 
and compassionating his situation, readily promised. The honest Udall er 
would have said something in the way of comfort to Cleveland himself, 
but he could not find words to express it, and only shook his head. 

" Old friend," said Cleveland, " you may have much to complain of — 
yet you pity instead of exulting over me — for the sake of you and yours, 
I will never harm human being more. Take this from me — my last 
hope, but my last temptation also" — he drew from his bosom a pocket- 
pistol, and gave it to Magnus Troil. " Remember me to — But no — 
let every one forget me. — I am your prisoner, sir," said he to the officer. 

"Ana I also," said poor Bunce ; and putting on a theatrical counte- 
nance, he ranted, with no very perceptible faltering in his tone, the 
words of Pierre : 

" 'Captain, you should be a gentleman of honour; 
Keep off the rabble, that 1 may have room 
To entertain my fate, and die with decency.' " 



316 THE PIRATE. 



CHAPTER XLL 

J°y> joy, in London now! 

Sodthet. 

The news of the capture of the Rover reached Kirkwall about an 
hour before noon, and filled all men with wonder and with joy. Little 
business was that day done at the Fair, whilst people of ah ages and 
occupations streamed from the place to see the prisoners as they were 
marched towards Kirkwall, and to triumph in the different appearance 
which they now bore, from that which they had formerly exhibited 
when ranting, swaggering, and bullying in the streets of that town. 
The bayonets of the marines were soon seen to glisten in the sun, and 
then came on the melancholy troop of captives, handcuffed two and two 
together. Their finery had been partly torn from them by their captors, 
partly hung in rags about them ; many were wounded and covered with 
blood, many blackened and scorched with the explosion, by which a few 
of the most desperate had in vain striven to blow up the vessel. Most 
of them seemed sullen and impenitent, some were more becomingly af- 
fected with their condition, and a few braved it out, and sung the same 
ribald songs to which they had made the streets of Kirkwall ring when 
they were in their frolics. 

The Boatswain and Goffe, coupled together, exhausted themselves 
in threats and imprecations against each other ; the former charging 
Goffe with want of seamanship, and the latter alleging that the Boat- 
swain had prevented him from firing the powder that was stowed for- 
ward, and sending them all to the other world together. Last came 
Cleveland and Bunce, who were permitted to walk unshackled ; the 
decent, melancholy, yet resolved manner of the former, contrasting 
strangely with the stage strut and swagger which poor Jack thought it 
fitting to assume, in order to conceal some less dignified emotions. The 
former was looked upon with compassion, the latter with a mixture of 
scorn and pity ; while most of the others inspired horror, and even fear, 
by their looks and their language. 

There was one individual in Kirkwall who was so far from hastening 
to see the sight which attracted all eyes, that he was not even aware 
of the event which agitated the town. This was the elder Mertoun, 
whose residence Kirkwall had been for two or three days, part of which 
had been spent in attending to some judicial proceedings, undertaken 
at the instance of the Procurator-Fiscal against that grave professor, 
Bryce Snailsfoot. In consequence of an inquisition into the proceed- 
ings of this worthy trader, Cleveland's chest, with his papers and other 
matters therein contained, had been restored to Mertoun, as the lawful 
custodier thereof, until the right owner should be in a situation to 
establish his right to them. Mertoun was at first desirous to throw 
back upon Justice the charge which she was disposed to intrust him 
with ; but, on perusing one or two of the papers, he hastily changed 
his mind — in broken words, requested the Magistrate to let the chest 
be sent to his lodgings— and, hastening homeward, bolted himself into 
the room, to consider and digest the singular information which chance 
had thus conveyed to him, and which increased, in a tenfold degree, 



THE PIRATE. 317 

his impatience for an interview with the mysterious Noma of the Fit- 
ful-head. 

It may be remembered that she had required of him, when they met 
in the Churchyard of Saint Ninian, to attend in the outer aisle of the 
Cathedral of Saint Magnus, at the hour of noon, on the fifth day of the 
Fair of Saint Olla, there to meet a person by whom the fate of Mor- 
daunt would be explained to him. — " It must be herself," he said ; " and 
that I should see her at this moment is indispensable. How to find 
her sooner I know not ; and better lose a few hours in this exigence 
than offend her by a premature attempt to force myself on her presence." 

Long, therefore, before noon — long before the town of Kirkwall was 
agitated by the news of the events on the other side of the island — the 
elder Mertoun was pacing the deserted aisle of the Cathedral, awaiting, 
with agonizing eagerness, the expected communication from Noma. 
The bell tolled twelve — no door opened — no one was seen to enter the 
Cathedral ; but the last sounds had not ceased to reverberate through 
the vaulted roof when, gliding from one of the interior side-aisles, 
Noma stood before him. Mertoun, indifferent to the apparent mystery 
of her sudden approach (with the secret of which the reader is acquainted), 
went up to her at once, with the earnest ejaculation — "Ulla — Ulla 
Troil — aid me to save our unhappy boy!" 

" To Ulla Troil," said Noma, " I answer not — I gave that name to 
the winds on the night that cost me a father !" 

" Speak not of that night of horror," said Mertoun ; " we have need 
of our reason — let us not think on recollections which may destroy it ; 
but aid me, if thou canst, to save our unfortunate child !" 

"Vaughan," answered Noma, "he is already saved — long since 
saved ; think you a mother's hand — and that of such a mother as I 
am — would await your crawling, tardy, ineffectual assistance? No, 
Vaughan— I make myself known to you but to show my triumph over 
you — it is the only revenge which the powerful Noma permits herself 
to take for the wrongs of Ulla Troil." 

" Have you indeed saved him — saved him from the murderous crew ?" 
said Mordaunt or Vaughan — "speak! — and speak truth! — I will be- 
lieve everything— all you would require me to assent to ! — prove to me 
only he is escaped and safe !" 

" Escaped and safe, by my means," said Noma — " safe, and in as- 
surance of an honoured and happy alliance. Yes, great unbeliever ! — 
yes, wise and self-opinioned infidel !— these were the works of Noma ! 
I knew you many a year since ; but never had I made myself known to 
you, save with the triumphant consciousness of having controlled the 
destiny that threatened my son. All combined against him — planets 
which threatened drowning— combinations which menaced blood — but 
my skill was superior to all. — I arranged — I combined — I found means 
— I made them — each disaster has been averted ;— and what infidel on 
earth, or stubborn demon beyond the bounds of earth, shall hereafter 
deny my power ?" 

The wild ecstasy with which she spoke so much resembled triumphant 
insanity that Mertoun answered — "Were your pretensions less lofty, 
and your speech more plain, I should be better assured of my son's 
safety." 



318 THE PIRATE. 

"Doubt on, vain sceptic!" said Noma — "And yet know, that not 
only is our" son safe, but vengeance is mine, though I sought it not — 
vengeance on the powerful implement of the darker Influences by 
whom my schemes were so often thwarted, and even the life of my son 
endangered. — Yes, take it as a guarantee of the truth of my speech, 
that Cleveland — the pirate Cleveland — even nDw enters Kirkwall as a 
prisoner, and will soon expiate with his life the having shed blood 
which is of kin to Noma's." 

"Who didst thou say was prisoner?" exclaimed Mertoun, with a 
voice of thunder — " Who, woman, didst thou say should expiate his 
crimes with his life?" 

" Cleveland — the pirate Cleveland !" answered Noma ; " and by me, 
whose counsel he scorned, he has been permitted to meet his fate." 

" Thou most wretched of women !" said Mertoun, speaking from 
between his clenched teeth, — " thou hast slain thy son as well as thy 
father!" 

" My son ! — what son ? — what mean you? — Mordaunt is your son — 
your only son !" exclaimed Noma — "is he not? — tell me quickly — is 
he not ?" 

" Mordaunt is indeed my son," said Mertoun — " the laws, at least, 
gave him to me as such — But, unhappy Ulla ! Cleveland is your son 
as well as mine — blood of our blood, bone. of our bone ; and if you have 
given him to death, I will end my wretched life along with him !" 

" Stay — hold — stop, Vaughan!" said Noma ; " I am not yet over- 
come — prove but to me the truth of what you say, I would find help, 
if I should evoke hell ! — But prove your w r ords, else believe them I 
cannot." 

" Thou help? wretched, overweening woman! — In what have thy 
combinations and thy stratagems— the legerdemain of lunacy — the 
mere quackery of insanity — in what have these involved thee ? — and 
yet I will speak to thee as reasonable — nay, I will admit thee as power- 
ful. — Hear then, Ulla, the proofs which you demand, and find a remedy 
if thou canst : — 

" When I fled from Orkney," he continued, after a pause — " it is 
now five-and- twenty years since — I bore Avith me the unhappy offspring 
to whom you had given light. It was sent to me by one of your kins- 
women, with an account of your illness, which was 'soon followed by a 
generally received belief of your death. It avails not to tell in what 
misery I left Europe. I found refuge in Hispaniola, wherein a fair 
young Spaniard undertook the task of comforter. I married her — she 
became mother of the youth called Mordaunt Mertoun." 

" You married her !" said Noma, in a tone of deep reproach. 

" I did, Ulla," answered Mertoun ; " but you were avenged. She 
proved faithless, and her infidelity left me in doubts whether the child 
she bore had a right to call me father — But I also w r as avenged." 

" You murdered her !" said Noma, with a dreadful shriek. 

" I did that," said Mertoun, without a more direct reply, " which 
made an instant flight from Hispaniola necessary. Your son I carried 
with me to Tortnga, where we had a small settlement. Mordaunt 
Vau§han ? my son by marriage, about three or four years younger, was 
residing in J^ort- Royal, for "the advantages of an English education. 



THE PIRATE. 319 

I resolved never to see him again, but I continued to support him. Our 
settlement was plundered by the Spaniards when Clement was but- 
fifteen — Want came to aid despair and a troubled conscience. I became 
a corsair, and involved Clement in the same desperate trade. His skill 
and bravery, though then a mere boy, gained him a separate command ; 
and after a lapse of two or three years, while we were on different cruises, 
rny crew rose on me, and left me for dead on the beach of one of the 
Bermudas. I recovered, however, and my first inquiries, after a tedious 
illness, were after Clement. He, I heard, had been also marooned by 
a rebellious crew, and put ashore on a desert islet, to perish with want 
— I believed he had so perished." 

" And what assures you that he did not ?" said Ulla ; " or how comes 
this Cleveland to be identified with Vaughan V 

" To change a name is common with such adventurers," answered 
Mertoun, " and Clement had apparently found that of Vaughan had 
become too notorious — and this change, in his case, prevented me from 
hearing any tidings of him. It was then that remorse seized me, and 
that, detesting all nature, but especially the sex to which Louisa be- 
longed, I resolved to do penance in the wild islands of Zetland for the 
rest of my life. To subject myself to fasts and to the scourge was the 
advice of the holy Catholic priests whom I consulted. But 1 devised a 
nobler penance — I determined to bring with me the unhappy boy Mor- 
daunt, and to keep always before me the living memorial of my misery 
and my guilt. I have done so, and I have thought over both, till rea- 
son has often trembled on her throne. And now, to drive me to utter 
madness, my Clement— my own, my undoubted son — revives from the 
dead, to be consigned to an infamous death by the machinations of his 
own mother !" 

" Away, away !" said Noma, with a laugh, when she had heard the 
story to an end, "this is a legend framed by the old corsair to interest 
my aid in favour of a guilty comrade. How could I mistake Mordaunt 
for my son, their ages being so different'^" 

"The dark complexion and manly stature may have done much," 
said Basil Mertoun ; " strong imagination must have done the rest." 

" But give me proofs — give me proofs that this Cleveland is my son, 
and, believe me, this sun shall sooner sink in the east than they shall 
have power to harm a hair of his head." 

" These papers, these journals," said Mertoun, offering the pocket- 
book. 

" I cannot read them," she said, after an effort, " my brain is 
dizzy." 

" Clement had also tokens which you may remember, but they must 
have become the booty of his captors. He had a silver box with a 
Runic inscription, with which, in far other days, you presented me — a 
golden chaplet." 

"A box !" said Noma, hastily ; " Cleveland gave me one but a day 
since — I have never looked at it till now." 

Eagerly she pulled it out — eagerly examined the legend around the 
lid, and as eagerly exclaimed — " They may now indeed call me Reim- 
kennar, for by this rhyme I know myself murderess of my son, as well 
as of my father !" 



320 THE PIRATE. 

The conviction of the strong delusion under which she had laboured 
was so overwhelming, that she sunk down at the foot of one of the 
pillars — Mertoun shouted for help, though in despair of receiving any ; 
the sexton, however, entered, and, hopeless of all assistance from 
Noma, the distracted father rushed out to learn, if possible, the fate of 
his son. 



CHAPTER XLIL 

Go, some of you, cry a reprieve ! 

Beggar's Opera. 






Captain Weatherport had, before this time, reached Kirkwall in 
person, and was received with great joy and thankfulness by the Ma- 
gistrates, who had assembled in council for the purpose. The Provost, 
in particular, expressed himself delighted with the providential arrival 
of the Halcyon, at the very conjuncture when the Pirate could not 
escape her. The Captain looked a little surprised, and said — " For 
that, sir, you may thank the information you yourself supplied." 

" That I supplied?" said the Provost, somewhat astonished. 

" Yes sir," answered Captain Weatherport, " I understand you to 
be George Torfe, Chief Magistrate of Kirkwall, who subscribes this 
letter." 

The astonished Provost took the letter addressed to Captain Weather- 
port of the Halcyon, stating the arrival, force, &c, of the pirates 
vessel ; but adding, that they had heard of the Halcyon being on the 
coast, and that they were on their guard, and ready to baffle her, by 
going among the shoals, and through the islands and holms, where the 
frigate could not easily follow ; and at the worst, they were desperate 
enough to propose running the sloop ashore and blowing her up, by 
which much booty and treasure would be lost to the captors. The 
letter, therefore, suggested* that the Halcyon should cruise betwixt 
Duncansbay Head and Cape Wrath for two or three days, to relieve 
the pirates of the alarm her neighbourhood occasioned, and. lull then: 
into securitv, the more especially as the letter-writer knew it to be 
their intention, if the frigate left the coast, to go into Stromness Bay. 
and there put their guns ashore for some necessary repairs, or even for 
careening their vessel, if they could find means. The letter concluded 
by assuring Captain Weatherport that, if he could bring his frigate into 
Stromness Bay on the morning of the 24th of August, he would have 
a good bargain of the pirates — if sooner, he was not unlikely to miss 
them. 

This letter is not of my writing or subscribing, Captain Weather- 

Sort," said the Provost ; " nor would I have venturetf to advise any 
elay in your coming hither." 

The Captain was surprised in his turn. " All I know is, that it 
reached me when I was in the bay of Thurso, and that I gave the boat's 
crew that brought it five dollars for crossing the Pentland Frith in very | 
rough weather. They had a dumb dwarf as cockswain, the ugliest (( 
urchin my eyes ever opened upon. I give you much credit for the , 
accuracy of your intelligence, Mr Provost." ^ 



THE PIRATE. 321 

" It is lucky as it is," said the Provost ; " yet I question whether 
the writer of this letter would not rather that you had found the nest 
cold and the bird flown." 

So saying, he handed the letter to Magnus Troil, who returned it 
with a smile, but without any observations, aware, doubtless, with the 
sagacious reader, that Noma had her own reasons for calculating with 
accuracy on the date of the Halcyon's arrival. 

Without puzzling himself farther concerning a circumstance which 
seemed inexplicable, the Captain requested that the examinations might 
proceed ; and Cleveland and Altamont, as he chose to be called, were 
brought up the first of the pirate crew, on the charge of having acted 
as Captain and Lieutenant. They had just commenced the examina- 
tion, when, after some expostulation with the officers who kept the 
door, Basil Mertoun burst into the apartment and exclaimed, " Take 
the old victim for the young one ! I am Basil Vaughan, too well known 
on the windward station — take my life and spare my son's !" 

All were astonished, and none more than Magnus Troil, who hastily 
explained to the Magistrates and Captain Weatherport that this 
gentleman had been living peaceably and honestly on the Mainland of 
Zetland for many years. 

" In that case," said the Captain, " I wash my hands of the poor 
man, for he is safe, under two proclamations of mercy ; and, by my 
soul, when I see them, the father and his offspring, hanging on each 
other's neck, I wish I could say as much for the son." 

"But how is it — how can it be?" said the Provost; "we always 
called the old man Mertoun, and the young Cleveland, and now it 
seems they are both named Vaughan." 

" Vaughan," answered Magnus, " is a name which I have some 
reason to remember; and, from what I have lately heard from my 
cousin Noma, that old man has a right to bear it." 

"And, I trust, the young man also," said the Captain, who had 
been looking over a memorandum. " Listen to me a moment," added 
he, addressing the younger Vaughan, whom we have hitherto called 
Cleveland. " Hark you, sir, your name is said to be Clement Vaughan 
— are you the same who, then a mere boy, commanded a party of 
rovers, who, about eight or nine years ago, pillaged a Spanish village 
called Quempoa, on the Spanish Main, wilh the purpose of seizing 
some treasure V 1 

" It will avail me nothing to deny it," answered the prisoner. 

" No," said Captain Weatherport, " but it may do you service to 
admit it— Well, the muleteers escaped with the treasure while you were 
engaged in protecting, at the hazard of your own life, the honour of 
two Spanish ladies against the brutality of your followers. Do you re- 
member anything of this ?" 

" I am sure 1 do," said Jack Bunce ; " for our Captain here was 
marooned for his gallantry, and I narrowly escaped flogging and pickling 
for having taken his part." 

" When these points are established," said Captain Weatherport, 
j| Vaughan' s life is safe — the women he saved were persons of quality, 
laughters to the governor of the province, and application was long 
iinee made, by the grateful Spaniard, to our government for favour to 

x 



322 THE PIRATE. 

be shown to their preserver. I had special orders about Clement 
Vaughan, when I had a commission for cruising upon the pirates, in 
the West Indies, six or seven years since. But Vaughan was gone 
then as a name amongst them ; and I heard enough of Cleveland in his 
room. However, Captain, be you Cleveland or Vaughan, I think that 
as the Quempoa hero, I can assure you a free pardon when you arrive 
iii London." 

Cleveland bowed, and the blood mounted to his face. Mertoun fell 
on his knees, and exhausted himself in thanksgiving to Heaven. They 
were removed amidst the sympathizing sobs of the spectators. 

" And now, good Master Lieutenant, what have you got to say for 
yourself?" said Captain Weatherport to the ci-devant Roscius. 

" Why, little or nothing, please your honour ; only that I wish your 
honour could find my name in that book of mercy you have in your 
hand; for I stood by Captain Clement Vaughan in that Quempoa 
business." 

" You call yourself Frederick Altamont ?" said Captain Weather- 
port. " I can see no such name here ; one John Bounce, or Bunce, 
the lady put on her tablets." 

"Why, that is me— that is I myself, Captain — I can prove it ; and 
I am determined, though the sound be something plebeian, rather to 
live Jack Bunce than to hang as Frederick Altamont." 

" In that case," said the Captain, " I can give you some hopes as 
John Bunce." 

" Thank your noble worship !" shouted Bunce ; then changing his 
tone, he said, " Ah, since an alias has such virtue, poor Dick Fletcher 
might have come off as Timothy Tugmutton ; but howsomdever d'ye 
see, to use his own phrase " 

" Away with the Lieutenant," said the Captain, " and bring forward 
Goffe and the other fellows; there will be ropes reeved for some of 
them, I think." And this prediction promised to be amply fulfilled, 
so strong was the proof which was brought against them. 

The Halcyon was accordingly ordered round to carry the whole 
prisoners to London, for which she set sail in the course of two days. 

During the time that the unfortunate Cleveland remained at Kirk- 
wall, he was treated with civility by the Captain of the Halcyon ; and 
the kindness of his old acquaintance, Magnus Troil, who knew in 
secret how closely he was allied to his blood, pressed on him accommo- 
dations of every kind, more than he could be prevailed on to accept. 

Noma, whose interest in the unhappy prisoner was still more deep, 
was at this time unable to express it. The sexton had found her lying 
on the pavement in a swoon, and when she recovered, her mind for 
the time had totally lost its equipoise, and it became necessary to place 
her under the restraint of watchful attendants. 

Of the sisters of Burgh-Westra, Cleveland only heard that they re- 
mained ill in consequence of the fright to which they had been sub- 
jected, until the evening before the Halcyon sailed, when he received, 
by a private conveyance, the following billet : — " Farewell, Cleveland 
— we part for ever, and it is right that we should — Be virtuous and be 
happy. The delusions which a solitary education and limited acquain- 
tance ;uth the modern world had spread around me, are gone and 



THE PIRATE. 323 

dissipated for ever. But in you, I am sure, I have been thus far free 
from error — that you are one to whom good is naturally more attractive 
than evil, and whom only necessity, example, and habit have forced 
into your late course of life. Think of me as one who no longer exists, 
unless you should become as much the object of general praise as now 
of general reproach ; and then think of me as one who will rejoice in 
your reviving fame, though she must never see you more !" — The note 
was signed M. T. ; and Cleveland, with a deep emotion, which he 
testified even by tears, read it an hundred times over, and then clasped 
it to his bosom. 

Mordaunt Mertoun heard by letter from his father, but in a very 
different style. Basil bade him farewell for ever, and acquitted him 
henceforward of the duties of a son, as one on whom he, notwithstand- 
ing the exertions of many years, had found himself unable to bestow 
the affections of a parent. The letter informed him of a recess in the 
old house of Jarlshof, in which the writer had deposited a considerable 
quantity of specie and of treasure, which he desired Mordaunt to use as 
his own. " You need not fear," the letters bore, " either that you lay 
yourself imder obligation to me, or that you are sharing the spoils of 
piracy. What is now given over to you is almost entirely the property 
of your deceased mother, Louisa Gonzago, and is yours by every right. 
Let us forgive each other," was the conclusion, " as they who must 
meet no more." — And they never met more ; for the elder Mertoun, 
against whom no charge was ever preferred, disappeared after the fate 
of Cleveland was determined, and was generally believed to have re- 
tired into a foreign convent. 

The fate of Cleveland will be most briefly expressed in a letter, which 
Minna received within two months after the Halcyon left Kirkwall. 
The family were then assembled at Burgh-Westra, and Mordaunt was 
a member of it for the time, the good Udaller thinking he could never 
sufficiently repay the activity which he had shown in the defence of his 
daughters. Noma, then beginning to recover from her temporary aliena- 
tion of mind, was a guest in the family, and Minna, who was sedulous 
in her attention upon this unfortunate victim of mental delusion, was 
seated with her, watching each symptom of returning reason, when the 
letter we allude to was placed in her hands. 

"Minna," it said — "dearest Minna! — farewell, and for ever! Be- 
lieve me, I never meant you wrong — never. From the moment I came 
to know you, I resolved to detach myself from my hateful comrades, 
and had framed a thousand schemes, which have proved as vain as they 
deserved to be — for why, or how, should the fate of her that is so lovely, 
pure, and innocent, be involved with that of one so guilty ? — Of these 
dreams I will speak no more. The stern reality of my situation is much 
milder than I either expected or deserved ; and the little good I did 
has outweighed, in the minds of honourable and merciful judges, much 
that was evil and criminal. I have not only been exempted from the 
ignominious death to which several of my compeers are sentenced ; but 
Captain Weatherport, about once more to sail for the Spanish Main, 
under the apprehension of an immediate war with that country, has 
generously solicited and obtained permission to employ me, and two or 
three more of my less guilty associates, in the same service — a mea- 



324 THE PIRATE. 

sure recommended to himself by his own generous compassion, and 
to others by our knowledge of the coast, and of local circumstances, 
which, by whatever means acquired, we now hope to use for the ser- 
vice of our country. Minna, you will hear my name- pronounced with 
honour, or you will never hear it again. If virtue can give happi- 
ness, I need not wish it to you, for it is yours already. — Farewell, 
Minna." 

_ Minna wept so bitterly over this letter that it attracted the atten- 
tion of the convalescent Noma. She snatched it from the hand of her 
kinswoman, and read it over at first with the confused air of one to 
whom it conveyed no intelligence — then with a dawn of recollection 
— then with a burst of mingled joy and grief, in which she dropped 
it from her hand. Minna snatched it up, and retired with her trea- 
sure to her own apartment. 

From that time Noma appeared to assume a different character. 
Her dress was changed to one of a more simple and less imposing 
appearance. Her dwarf was dismissed, with ample provision for his 
future comfort. She showed no desire of resuming her erratic life ; 
and directed her observatory, as it might be called, on Fitful-head, 
to be dismantled. She refused the name of Noma, and would only 
be addressed by her real appellation of Ulla Troil. But the most im- 
portant change remained behind. Formerly, from the dreadful dic- 
tates of spiritual despair, arising out of the circumstances of her father's 
death, she seemed to have considered herself as an outcast from divine 
grace ; besides that, enveloped in the vain occult sciences which she 
pretended to practise, her study, like that of Chaucer's physician, had 
been " but little in the Bible." Now, the sacred volume was seldom 
laid aside ; and, to the poor ignorant people who came as formerly 
to invoke her power over the elements, she only replied — " The winds 
are in the hollow of His handy — Her conversion was not, perhaps, 
altogether rational ; for this the state of a mind disordered by such a 
complication of horrid incidents probably prevented. But it seemed to 
be sincere, and was certainly useful. She appeared deeply to repent of 
her former presumptuous attempts to interfere with the course of human 
events, superintended as they are by far higher powers, and expressed 
bitter compunction when such her former pretensions were in any 
manner recalled to her memory. She still showed a partiality to Mor- 
daunt, though, perhaps, arising chiefly from habit ; nor was it easy to 
know how much or how little she remembered of the complicated events 
in which she had been connected. When she died, which was about 
four years after the events we have commemorated, it was found that, 
at the special and earnest request of Minna Troil, she had conveyed 
her very considerable property to Brenda. A clause in her will specially 
directed that all the books, implements of her laboratory, and other 
things connected with her former studies, should be committed to the 
flames. 

About two years before Noma's death, Brenda was wedded to Mor- 
daunt Mertoun. It was some time before old Magnus Troil, with all 
his affection for his daughter, and all his partiality for Mordaunt, was 
able frankly to reconcile himself to this match. But Mordaunt's ac- 
complishments were peculiarly to the Udaller's taste, and the old man 



THE PIRATE. 325 

felt the impossibility of supplying his place in his family so absolutely, 
that at length his Norse blood gave way to the natural feeling of the 
heart, and he comforted his pride while he looked around him, and saw 
what he considered as the encroachments of the Scottish gentry upon 
the country (so Zetland is fondly termed by its inhabitants), that as 
well " his daughter married the son of an English pirate, as of a Scot- 
tish thief," in scornful allusion to the Highland and Border families, 
to whom Zetland owes many respectable landholders ; but whose an- 
cestors were generally esteemed more renowned for ancient family and 
high courage than for accurately regarding the trifling distinctions of 
meum and tuum. The jovial old man lived to the extremity of human 
life, with the happy prospect of a numerous succession in the family of 
his younger daughter ; and having his board cheered alternately by 
the minstrelsy of Claud Halcro, and enlightened by the lucubrations of 
Mr Triptolemus Yellowley, who, laying aside his high pretensions, was, 
when he became better acquainted with the manners of the islanders, 
and remembered the various misadventures which had attended his 
premature attempts at reformation, an honest and useful representative 
of his principal, and never so happy as when he could escape from the 
spare commons of his sister Barbara, to the genial table of the Udaller. 
Barbara's temper also was much softened by the unexpected restoration 
of the horn of silver coins (the property of Noma), which she had con- 
cealed in the mansion of old Stourburgh, for achieving some of her 
mysterious plans, but which she now restored to those by whom it had 
been accidentally discovered, with an intimation, however, that it would 
again disappear unless a reasonable portion was expended on the sus- 
tenance of the family, a precaution to which Tronda Dronsdaughter 
(probably an agent of Noma's) owed her escape from a slow and wast- 
ing death by inanition. 

Mordaunt and Brenda were as happy as our mortal condition permits 
us to be. They admired and loved each other — enjoyed easy circum- 
stances — had duties to discharge which they did not neglect ; and clear 
in conscience as light of heart, laughed, sung, danced, daffed the world 
aside, and bid it pass. _ 

But Minna — the high-minded and imaginative Minna — she, gifted 
with such depth of feeling and enthusiasm, yet doomed to see both 
blighted in early youth, because, with the inexperience of a disposition 
equally romantic and ignorant, she had built the fabric of her happi- 
ness on a quicksand instead of a rock, — was she, could she be happy ? 
Reader, she was happy ; for, whatever may be alleged to the contrary 
by the sceptic and the scorner, to each duty performed there is assigned 
a degree of mental peace and high consciousness of honourable exertion 
corresponding to the difficulty of the task accomplished. That rest of 
the body which succeeds to hard and industrious toil is not to be com- 
pared to the repose which the spirit enjoys under similar circumstances. 
Her resignation, however, and the constant attention which she paid to 
her father, her sister, the afflicted Noma, and to all who had claims on 
her, were neither Minna's sole nor her most precious source of comfort. 
Like Noma, but under a more regulated judgment, she learned to ex- 
change the visions of wild enthusiasm which had exerted and misled 
her imagination, for a truer and purer connection with the world be- 



326 THE PIRATE. 

yond us than could be learned from the sagas of heathen bards, or the 
visions of later rhymers. To this she owed the support by which she 
was enabled, after various accounts of the honourable and gallant con- 
duct of Cleveland, to read with resignation, and even with a sense of 
comfort, mingled with sorrow, that he had at length fallen, leading the 
way in a gallant and honourable enterprise, which was successfully ac- 
complished by those companions to whom his determined bravery had 
opened the road. Bunce, his fantastic follower in good, as formerly in 
evil, transmitted an account to Minna of this melancholy event, in 
terms which showed, that though his head was weak, his heart had not 
been utterly corrupted by the lawless life which he had for some time 
led, or at least that it had been amended by the change ; and that he 
himself had gained credit and promotion in the same action, seemed to 
be of little consequence to him, compared with the loss of his old cap- 
tain and comrade. 1 Minna read the intelligence, and thanked Heaven, 
even while the eyes which she lifted up were streaming with tears, that 
the death of Cleveland had been in the bed of honour ; nay, she even 
had the courage to add to her gratitude, that he had been snatched 
from a situation of temptation ere circumstances had overcome his new- 
born virtue ; and so strongly did this reflection operate, that her life, 
after the immediate pain of this event had passed away, seemed not 
only as resigned, but even more cheerful than before. Her thoughts, 
however, were detached from the world, and only visited it, with an in- 
terest like that which guardian spirits take for their charge, in behalf 
of those friends with whom she lived in love, or of the poor whom she 
could serve and comfort. Thus passed her life, enjoying, from all who 
approached her, an affection enhanced by reverence ; insomuch, that 
when her friends sorrowed for her death, which arrived at a late period 
of her existence, they were comforted by the fond reflection, that the 
humanity which she then laid down was the only circumstance which 
had placed her, in the words of Scripture, " a little lower than the 
angels !" 

1 We have been able to learn nothing with certainty of Bunce's fate ; but our friend, 
Dr Dryasdust, believes he may be identified with an old gentleman who, in the be- 
ginning of the reign of George I., attended the Rose Coffee-house regularly, went to 
the theatre every night, told mercilessly long stories about the Spanish Main, control- 
led reckonings, bullied waiters, and was generally known by the name of Captaiu 
Bounce. 



END OF THE PIRATE. 






NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 



Note A, p. 6. Plantie Cruive. 

Patch of ground for vegetables. The liberal custom of the country permits any person, 
who has occasion for such a convenience, to select out of the unenclosed moorland a 
small patch, which he surrounds with a drystone wall, and cultivates as a kail-yard, till 
he exhausts the soil with cropping, and then he deserts it, and encloses another. This 
liberty is so far from inferring an invasion of the right of proprietor and tenant, that 
the last degree of contempt is inferred of an avaricious man, when a Zetlander says, he 
would not hold a plantie cruive of him. 

Note B, p. 9. The Berserkaks. 

The sagas of the Scalds are full of descriptions of these champions, and do not permit 
us to doubt that the Berserkars, so called from fighting without armour, used some 
physical means of working themselves into a frenzy, during which they possessed the 
strength and energy of madness. The Indian warriors are well known to do the same 
by dint of opium and bang. 

Note C, pp. 12, 113. Norse Fragments. 

Near the conclusion of Chapter II. it is noticed, that the old Norwegian sagas were 
preserved and often repeated by the fishermen of Orkney and Zetland, while that lan- 
guage was not yet quite forgotten. Mr Baikie of Tankerness, a most respectable inhabi- 
tant of Kirkwall, and an Orkney proprietor, assured me of the following curious fact. 

A clergyman, who was not long deceased, remembered well when some remnants 
of the Norse were still spoken in the island called North Ronaldsnaw. When Gray's 
Ode, entitled the "Fatal Sisters," was first published, or at least first reached that 
remote island, the reverend gentleman had the well-judged curiosity to read it to some 
of the old persons of the isle, as a poem which regarded the history of their own country 
They listened with great attention to the preliminary stanzas: — 

" Now the storm begins to lour, 
Haste the loom of hell prepare, 
Iron tleet of arrowy shower 
Hurtlce in the darken'd air." 

But when they had heard a verse or two more, they interrupted the reader, telling him 
they knew the song well in the Norse language, and had often sung it to him when he 
asked them for an old song. They called it the Magicians, or the Enchantresses. It 
would have been singular news to the elegant translator, when executing his version 
from the text of Bartholine, to have learned that the Norse original was still preserved 
by tradition in a remote corner of the British dominions. The circumstance will pro- 
bably justify what is said in the text concerning the traditions of the inhabitants of 
those remote isles, at the beginning of the eighteenth century. 

Even yet, though the Norse language is entirely disused, except in so far as particular 
words and phrases are still retained, these fishers of the Ultima Thule are a generation 
much attached to these ancient legends. Of this the author learned a singular instance. 

About twenty years ago, a missionary clergyman had taken the resolution of tra- 
versing those wild islands, where he supposed there might be a lack of religious instruc- 
tion, which he believed himself capable of supplying. After being some days at sea in 
an open boat, he arrived at North Ronaldshaw, where his appearance excited great 
speculation. He was a very little man, dark-complexioned, and from the fatigua he 



328 NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 

had sustained in removing from one island to another, lie appeared before them ill- 
dressed and unshaved ; so that the inhabitants set him down as one of the Ancient 
Picts, or, as they call them with the usual strong guttural, Peghts. How they might 
have received the poor preacher in this character, was at least dubious; and the school- 
master of the parish, who had given quarters to the fatigued traveller, set off to consult 

with Mr S , the able and ingenious engineer of the Scottish Light-House Service, 

who chanced to be on the island. As his skill and knowledge were in the highest 

repute, it was conceived that Mr S could decide at once whether the stranger was 

a Peght, or ought to be treated as such. Mr S was so good-natured as to attend 

the summons, with the view of rendering the preacher some service. The poor mis- 
sionary, who had watched for three nights, was now fast asleep, little dreaming what 
odious suspicions were current respecting him. The inhabitants were assembled round 

the door. Mr S , understanding the traveller's condition, declined disturbing him, 

upon which the islanders produced a pair of very little uncouth-looking boots, with 
prodigiously thick soles, and appealed to him whether it was possible such articles of 

raiment could belong to any one but a Peght. Mr S , finding the prejudices of the 

natives so strong, was induced to enter the sleeping apartment of the traveller, and 
was surprised to recognise in the supposed Peght a person whom he had known in his 
worldly profession of an Edinburgh shopkeeper, before he had assumed his present 
profession. Of course he was enabled to refute all suspicions of Peghtism. 

Note D, p. 12. Monsters of the Northern Seas. 

I have said, in the text, that the wondrous tales told by Pontoppidan, the Archbishop 
of Upsal, still find believers in the Northern Archipelago. It is in vain they are can- 
celled even in the later editions of Guthrie's Grammar, of which instructive work they 
used to form the chapter far most attractive to juvenile readers. But the same causes 
which probably gave birth to the legends concerning mermaids, sea-snakes, krakens, 
and other marvellous inhabitants of tbe Northern Ocean, are still afloat in those 
climates where they took their rise. They had their origin probably from the eager- 
ness of curiosity manifested by our elegant poetess, Mrs Hemans : — 

" What hidest thou in tliy treasure-eaves and cells, 
TIkui ever-sounding and mysterious Sea'" 

The additional mystic gloom which rests on these northern billows for half the year, 
joined to the imperfect glance obtained of occasional objects, encourage the timid or 
the fanciful to give way to imagination, and frequently to shape out a distinct story 
from some object half seen and imperfectly examined. Thus, some years since, a large 
object was seen in the beautiful Bay of Scalloway in Zetland, so much in vulgar opinion 
resembling the kraken, that though it might be distinguished for several days, if the 
exchange of darkness to twilight can be termed so, yet the hardy boatmen shuddered 
to approach it, for fear of being drawn down by the suction supposed to attend its sink- 
ing. It was probably the hull of some vessel which had foundered at sea. 

The belief in mermaids, so fanciful and pleasing in itself, is ever and anon refreshed 
by a strange tale from the remote shores of some solitary islet. 

The author heard a mariner of some reputation in his class vouch for having seen the 
celebrated sea serpent. It appeared, so far as could be guessed, to be about a hundred 
feet long, with the wild mane and fiery eyes which old writers ascribe to the monster; 
but it is not unlikely the spectator might, in the doubtful light, be deceived by the 
appearance of a good Norway log floating on the waves. I have only to add, that the 
remains of an animal, supposed to belong to this latter species, were driven on shore in 
the Zetland Isles, within the recollection of man. Part of the bones were sent to Lon- 
don, and pronounced by Sir Joseph Banks to be those of a basking shark: yet it would 
seem that an animal so well known ought to have been immediately distinguished by 
the northern fishermen- 
Note E, p. 29. Government of Zetland. 

At the period supposed, the Earl of Morton held the Islands of Orkney and Zetland, 
originally granted in 1G43, continued in 1707, and rendered absolute in 1742. This 
gave the family much property and influence, which they usually exercised by factors, 
named chamberlains. In 1760 this properly was sold by the then Earl of Morton to Sir 
Lawrence Dundas, by whose son, Lord Dunchts; it is now held. 

Note F, p. 47. Saint Ronald. 

Although the Zethvnders were early reconciled to the reformed faith, some ancient 
practices of Catholic superstition survived long among thein. In verv stormy weather 



NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 329 

a fisher would vow an oramus to Saint Ronald, and acquitted himself of the obligation 
by throwing a small piece of money in at the window of a ruinous chapeL 

Note G, p. 52. Sale or Winds. 

The King of Sweden, the same Eric quoted by Mordaunt, " was," says Olaus Magnus, 
"in his time held second to none in the magical art; and he was so familiar with the 
evil spirits whom he worshipped, that what way soever he turned his cap, the wind 
would presently blow that way. For this he was called "Windy-cap." — Historia de Gen- 
tibus Seplentrionalibus. Romce, 1555. It is well known that the Laplanders drive a pro- 
fitable trade in selling winds ; but it is perhaps less notorious, that within these few 
years such a commodity might be purchased on British ground, where it was likely to 
be in great request. At the village of Stromness, on the Orkney main island, called 
Pomona, lived, in 1814, an aged dame, called Bessie Millie, who helped out her sub- 
sistence by selling favourable winds to mariners. He was a venturous master of a 
vessel who left the roadstead of Stromness without paying his otfering to propitiate 
Bessie Millie ; her fee was extremely moderate, being exactly sixpence, for which, as 
she explained herself, she boiled her kettle and gave the bark advantage of her pi-ayers, 
for she disclaimed all unlawful arts. The wind thus petitioned for was sure, she said, 
to arrive, though sometimes the mariners had to wait some time for it. The woman's 
dwelling and appearance were not unbecoming her pretensions; her house, which 
was on the brow of the steep hill on which Stromness is founded, was only accessible 
by a series of dirty and precipitous lanes, and for exposure might have been the abode 
of Eolus himself, in whose commodities the inhabitant dealt. She herself was, as she 
told us, nearly one hundred years old, withered and dried up like a mummy. A clay- 
coloured kerchief, folded round her head, corresponded in colour to her corpse-like 
complexion. Two light-blue eyes, that gleamed with a lustre like that of insanity, an 
utterance of astonishing rapidity, a nose and chin that almost met together, and a 
ghastly expression of cunning, gave her the effect of Hecate". She remembered Gow 
the pirate, who had been a native of these islands in which he closed his career, as men- 
tioned in the preface. Such was Bessie Millie, to whom the mariners paid a sort of 
tribute, with a feeling betwixt jest and earnest. 

Note H, p. 57. Reluctance to Save a Drowning Man. 

It is remarkable, that in an archipelago where so many persons must be necessarily 
endangered by the waves, so strange and inhuman a maxim should have ingrafted it- 
self upon the minds of a people otherwise kind, moral, aud hospitable. But all with 
whom I have spoken agree, that it was almost general in the beginning of the eighteenth 
century, and was with difficulty weeded out by the sedulous instructions of the clergy, 
and the rigorous injunctions of the proprietors. There is little doubt it had been 
originally introduced as an excuse for suffering those who attempted to escape from 
the wreck to perish unassisted, so that, there being no survivor, she might be con- 
sidered as lawful plunder. A story was told me, I hope an untrue one, that a vessel 
having got ashore among the breakers on one of the remote Zetland islands, five or six 
men, the whole or greater part of the unfortunate crew, endeavoured to land by 
assistance of a hawser, which they had secured to a rock ; the inhabitants were assem- 
bled, and looked on with some uncertainty, till an old man said, " Sirs, if these men 
come ashore, the additional mouths will eat all the meal we have got in store for winter; 
and how are we to get more ? " A young fellow, moved with this argument, struck the 
rope asunder with his axe, and all the poor wretches were immersed among the 
breakers, and perished. 

Note I, p. 61.* Mare "Wrecks ere Winter. 

The ancient Zetlander looked upon the sea as the provider of his living, not only by 
the plenty produced by the fishings, but by the spoil of wrecks. Some particular islands 
have fallen off very considerably in their rent since the commissioners of* the light-houses 
have ordered lights on the Isle of Sanda and the Pentland Skerries. A gentleman, 
familiar with those seas, expressed surprise at seeing the farmer of one of the isles in a 
boat with a very old pair of sails. "Had it been His will" — said the man, with an 
affected deference to Providence, very inconsistent with the sentiment of his speech — 
•' Had it been Ilis will that light had not been placed yonder, I would have had enough 
of new sails last winter." 



330 NOTES TO THE PI11ATE. 



Note K, p. 76. The Drows. 

The Drows, or Trows, the legitimate successors of the northern dmrgar, and some- 
what allied to the fairies, reside, like them, in the interior of green hills and caverns, 
and are most powerful at midnight. They are curious artificers in iron, as well as in 
the precious metals, and are sometimes propitious to mortals, hut more frequently- 
capricious and malevolent. Among the common people of Zetland, their existence still 
forms an ai-ticle of universal belief. In the neighbouring isles of Feroe, they are called 
Foddenskencand, or subterranean people; and Lucas Jacobson Debes, well acquainted 
with their nature, assures us that they inhabit those places which are polluted with the 
effusion of blood, or the practice of any crying sin. They have a government, which 
seems to be monarchical. 

Note L, p. 86. Zetland Corn-mills. 

There is certainly something very extraordinary to a stranger in Zetland corn-mills. 
They are of the smallest possible size ; the wheel which drives them is horizontal, and 
the cogs are turned diagonally to the water. The beam itself stands upright, and is 
inserted in a stcne quern of the old-fashioned construction, which it turns round, and 
thus performs its duty. Had Robinson Crusoe ever been in Zetland, he would have had 
no difficulty in contriving a machine for grinding corn in his desert island. These 
mills are thatched over in a little hovel, which has much the air of a pig-sty. There 
anay be five hundred such mills on one island, not capable any one of them of grinding 
above a sackful of com at a time. 

Note M, p. 115. Monteose. 

Montrose, in his last and ill-advised attempt to invade Scotland, augmented his small 
army of Danes and Scottish Royalists by some bands of raw troops, hastily levied, or 
rather pressed into his service, in the Orkney and Zetland Isles, who, having little 
heart either to the cause or manner of service, behaved but indifferently when they 
came into action. 

Note N, p. 115. Sir John Urrt. 

Here, as afterwards remarked in the text, the Zetlander's memory deceived him 
grossly. Sir John Urry, a brave soldier of fortune, was at that time in Montrose's 
army, and made prisoner along with him. He had changed so often that the mistake 
is pardonable. After the action, he was executed by the Covenanters; and 

" Wind-changing Warwick then could change no more." 

Strachan commanded the body by which Montrose was routed. 

Note 0, p. 116. The Sword-Dance. 

The Sword-Dance is celebrated in general terms by Olaus Magnus. He seems to 
have considered it as peculiar to the Norwegians, from whom it may have passed to 
the Orkneymen and Zetlanders, with other northern customs. 

"Of their Dancing in Arms. 

"Moreover, the northern Goths and Swedes had another sport to exercise youth with- 
all, that they will dance and skip amongst naked swords and dangerous weapons ; and 
this they do after the manner of masters of defence, as they are taught from their 
youth by skilful teachers, that dance before them, and sing to it. And this play is 
showed especially about Shrovetide, called in Italian Maschararum. For, before carni- 
vals, all the youth dance for eight days together, holding their swords up, but within the 
scabbards, for three times turning about; and then they do it with their naked swords 
lifted up. After this turning more moderately, taking the points and pummels one of 
the other, they change ranks, and place themselves in a triagonal figure, and this 
they call Rosam; and presently they dissolve it by drawing back their swords and lift- 
ing them up, that upon every one's head there may be made a square Rosa, and then 
by a most nimbly whisking their swords about collaterally, they quickly leap back, and 



NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 331 

end the sport, which they guide with pipes or songs, or both together; first by a more 
heavy, then by a more vehement, and lastly by a most vehement dancing. But this 
speculation is scarce to be understood but by those who look on, how comely and 
decent it is, when at one word, or one commanding, the whole armed multitude i 
directed to fall to fight, and clergymen may exercise themselves, and mingle themselves 
among others at this sport, because it is all guided by most wise reason." 

To the Primate's account of the sword-dance, I am able to add the words sung or 
chanted, on occasion of this dance, as it is still performed in Papa Stour, a remote 
island of Zetland, where alone the custom keeps its ground. It is, it will be observed 
by antiquaries, a species of play or mystery, in which the Seven Champions of Christen- 
dom make their appearance, as in the interlude presented in "All's Well that Ends 
Well." This dramatic curiosity was most kindly procured for my use by Dr Scott of 
Hazlar Hospital, son of my friend Mr Scott of Mewbie, Zetland. Mr Hibbert has, in 
his Description of the Zetland Islands, given an account of the SAvord-dance, but some- 
what less full than the following : — 

4 Words used as a frelude to the Sword-Dance, a Danish or Norwegian 
Ballet, composed some centuries ago, and preserved in Papa Stour, Zet- 
land. 

Persons Dramatis. 1 

(Enter Master, in the character of St George.) 
Brave gentles all within this boor, 2 
If ye delight in any sport. 
Come see me dance upon this floor. 
Which to you all shall vield comfort. 
Then shall 1 dance in such a sort, 
A s possible I may or can ; 
You, minstrel man, play me a Porte, 3 
That I on this floor may prove a man. 

(He bows, and dances in a line.) 
Now have I danced with heart and hand, 
Brave gentles all, as you may see, 
For 1 have been tried in many a land, 
As yet the truth can testify; 

In England, Scotland, Ireland, Fiance, Itcly, and Spain 
Have i been tried with that good sword of steel 

(Draws, and flourishes), 
Yet, I deny that ever a man did make me yield} 
For in my body there is strength. 
As by my manhood may be seen j 
And I, with that good sword of length. 
Have oftentimes in perils been, 
And over champions I was king. 
And by the strength of this right nana 
Once on a day 1 kill'd fifteen. 
And left them dead upon the land. 
Therefore, brave minstrel, do not care, 
But play to me a Porte most light, 
That 1 no longer do forbear, 
But dance in all these gentles' sight; 
Although my strength makes you abased, 
Brave gentles all be not afraid, 
For here are sir champions, with me, staid, 

All by my manhood I have raised. 

(He dances.) 
Since I have danced, I think it best 

To call my brethren in your sight, 

That I may have a little rest, 

And they may dance with all their might; 

With heart and hand as they are knights, 

And shake their sword of steel so bright, 

And show their main strength on this floor. 

For we shall have another bout 

Before we pass out of this boor, 

Therefore, brave minstrel, do not care 

To play to me a Porte most light, 

That 1 no longer do forbear. 

But dance in all these gentles' sight. 

(He dances, and then introduces his knights as under./ 

Stout James of Spain, both tried and stour, 4 

Thine acts are known full well indeed ; 

And champion Dennis, a French knight. 

Who stout and bold is to be seen ; 

And David, a Welshman born, 

Who is come of noble blood ; 

And Patrick also, who blew the horn 

An Irish knight aniougst the wood. 

1 So p.aced in the old MS. 

2 Boor— so spelt, to accord with the vulgar pronunciation of the word tower. *__.,.: 

3 Porte— so spelt in the original. The word is known as indicating a piece of music on the bagpipo, to which 
ancient instrument, which is of Scandinavian origin, the sword-dance may have been originally composed. 



i Stour, great. 



232 NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 

Of Italy, brave Anthony the good, 
And A ndrew of Scotland King ; 
St George of England, brave indeed. 
Who to the Jews wrought muckle tinte. 1 
A way with this ! — Let us come to sport, 
Since that ye have a mind to war. 
Since that ye have this bargain sought. 
Come let us fight and do not fear. 
1 herefore, brave minstrel, do not care 
To play to me a Porte most light, 
That 1 no longer do forbear. 
But dance in all these gentles' sight. 

(He dancs, and advances to James of Spam.) 
Stout James of Spain, both tried and stour, 
Thine acts are known full well indeed, 
Present thyself within our sight. 
Without either fear or dread. 
Count not for favour or for feid. 
Since of thy acts thou hast been sure; 
Brave James of Spain, I will thee lead, 
To prove thy manhood on this floor. 

(James dances.) 
Brave champion Dennis, a French knight, 
Who stout and bold is to be seen, 
Present thyself here in our sight, 
Thou brave French knight, 
Who bold hast been ; 
Since thou such valiant acts hast done. 
Come let us see some of them now 
With courtesy, thou brave French knight, 
Draw out thv sword of noble hue. 

(Dennis dances, while the others retire to a rtrfe.) 
Brave David a bo*- must string, and with awe 
Set up a wand upon a stand, 
And that brave David will cleave in twa.2 

(David dances solus.) 
Here is 1 think, an Irish knight. 
Who does not fear, or does not fright, 
To prove thyself a valiant man, 
As thou hast done full often bright; 
Brave Patrick, dance, if that thou can. 

{He dancs.) 
Thou stout Italian, come thou here ; 
Thy name is A nthony, most stout ; 
Draw out thv sword that is most clear. 
And do thou fight without any doubt; 
Thy leg thou shak-, thy neck thou lout, 3 
And show some courtesy on this floor, 
For we shall have another bout, 
Before we pass out of this boor. 
Thou kindly Scotsman come thou here ; 
Thy name is Andrew of Fair Scotland ; 
Draw out thy sword that is most clear, 
Fight for thv king with thy right hand; 
And ave as long as thou can stand, 
Fight tor thy king with all thy heart; 
And then, for to confirm his band. 
Make all his enemies for to smart. — (He dances. 

{Music legins.) 

FlGDTR. 4 

"The six stand in rank with their swords reclining on their shoulders. The Master 
(St George) dances, and then strikes the sword of James of Spain, who follows George, 
then dances, strikes the sword of Dennis, who follows behind James. In like manner 
the rest — the music playing — swords as before. After the six are brought out of rank, 
they and the Master form a circle, and hold the swords point and hilt. This circle is 
danced round twice. The whole, headed by the Master, pass under the swords held in 
a vaulted manner. They jump over the swords. This naturally places the swords 
across, which they disentangle by passing under their right sword. They take up the 
seven swords, and form a circle, in which they dance round. 

"The Master runs under the sword opposite, which he jumps over backwards. The 
others do the same. He then passes under the right-hand sword, which the others 
follow, in which position they dance, until commanded by the Master, when they form 
into a circle, and dance round as before. They then jump over the right-hand sword, 
by which means their backs are to the circle, and their hands across their backs. They 
dance round in that form until the Master calls 'Loose,' when they pass under the right 
sword, and are in a perfect circle. 

" The Master lays down his sword, and lays hold of the point of James's sword. He 
then turns himself, James, and the others, into a clue. When so formed, he passes 

Muckte tin*, much ]o*s or harm ; so in MS. 
2 Something i* evidently amiss or omitted here. David probah.y exhibited some feat of archtry 
8 Lout— to bend or bow down, pronounced loot, as doubt is doot in Scotland. 
4 Figuir-to spelt in MS 



NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 333 

under out of the midst of the circle; the others follow; they vault as before. After 
several other evolutions, they throw themselves into a circle, with their arms across 
the breast. They afterwards form such figures as to form a shield of their swords, and 
the shield is so compact that the master and his knights dance alternately with this 
shield upon their heads. It is then laid down upon the floor. Each knight lays hold 
of their former points and hilts with their hands across, which disentangle by figuirs 
directly contrary to those that formed the shield. This finishes the Ballet. 
"Epiloqtje. 

Mars does rule, lie bends his brows. 
He makes us all agast ; I 
A fter the few hours that we stay here 
Venus will rule at last. 

Farewall, farewell, brave gentles all, 
That herein do remain, 
I wish you health and happiness 
Till we return again. 

[.Exeunt, 

The manuscript from which the above was copied was transcribed from a very old 
one, by Mr William Henderson, jun , of Papa Stour, in Zetland. Mr Henderson's copy 
is not dated, but bears his own signature, and, from various circumstances, it is known 
to have been written about the year 1788. 

Note P, p. 149. The Dwarfie Stone. 

This is one of the wonders of the Orkney Islands, though it has been rather under- 
valued by their late historian, Mr Barry. The island of Hoy rises abruptly, starting as 
it were out of the sea, which is contrary to the gentle and flat character of the other 
Isles of Orkney. It consists of a mountain, having different eminences or peaks. It is 
very steep, farrowed with ravines, and placed so as to catch the mists of the Western 
Ocean, and has a noble and picturesque effect from all points of view. The highest 
peak is divided from another eminence, called the Ward-hill, by a long swampy valley 
full of peat-bogs. Upon the slope of this last hill, and just where the principal moun- 
tain of Hoy opens into a hollow swamp, or corri, lies what is called the Dwarfie Stone. 
It is a great fragment of sandstone, composing one solid mass, which has long since 
been detached from a belt of the same materials, cresting the eminence above the spot 
where it now lies, and which has slid down till it reached its present situation. The 
rock is about seven feet high, twenty-two feet long, and seventeen feet broad. The 
upper end of it is hollowed by iron tools, of which the marks are evident, into a sort of 
apartment, containing two beds of stone, with a passage between them. The upper- 
most and largest bed is five feet eight inches long, by two feet broad, which was sup- 
posed to be used by the dwarf himself; the lower couch is shorter, and rounded off, 
instead of being squared at the corners. There is an entrance of about three feet and 
a-half square, and a stone lies before it calculated to fit the opening. A sort of sky- 
light window gives light to the apartment. We can only guess at the purpose of this 
monument, and different ideas have been suggested. Some have supposed it the work 
of some travelling mason ; but the cut bono would remain to be accounted for. The 
Rev. Mr Barry conjectures it to be a hermit's cell; but it displays no symbol of Chris- 
tianity, and the door opens to the westward. The Orcadian traditions allege the work 
to be that of a dwarf, to whom they ascribe supernatural powers, and a malevolent dis- 
position, the attributes of that race in Norse mythology. Whoever inhabited this 
singular den certainly enjoyed 

" Pillow cold, and sheets not warm." 

I observed, that commencing just opposite to the Dwarfie Stone, and extending in a 
line to the sea-beach, there are a number of small barrows, or cairns, which seem to 
connect the stone with a very large cairn where we landed. This curious monument 
may therefore have been intended as a temple of some kind to the northern Dii Manes 
to which the cairns might direct worshippers. 

Note Q, p. 149. Carbuncle on the Ward-hill. 

"At the west end of this stone {i.e., the Dwarfie Stone) stands an exceeding high 
mountain of a steep ascent, called the Ward-hill of Hoy, near the top of which, in the 
months of May, June, and July, about midnight, is seen something that shines and 
sparkles admirably, and which is often seen a great way off. It hath shined more 
brightly before than it does now, and though many have climbed up the hilL and 

i Aztft -»o spelt in MS. 



334 NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 

attempted to search for it, yet they could find nothing. The vulgar talk of it as some 
enchanted carbuncle, but I take it rather to be some water sliding down the face of 
some smooth rock, which when the sun, at such a time, shines upon, the reflection 
causeth that admirable splendour." — Dr Wallace's Description of the Islands of Orkney, 
12mo, 1700, p. 52. 

Note R, p. 169. Fortune-telling Rhymes. 

The author has in the preceding chapter supposed that a very ancient northern 
custom, used by those who were accounted soothsaying women, might have survived, 
though in jest rather than earnest, among the Zetlanders, their descendants. The 
following original account of such a scene will show the ancient importance and con- 
sequence of such a prophetic character as was assumed by Noma: — 

" There lived in the same territory (Greenland) a woman named Thorbiorga, who 
was a prophetess, and called the little Vola (or fatal sister), the only one of nine sister3 
who survived. Thorbiorga during the winter used to frequent the festivities of the 
season, invited by those who were desirous of learning their own fortune, and the 
future events which impended. Torquil being a man of consequence in the country, it 
fell to his lot to inquire how long the dearth was to endure with which the country was 
then afflicted ; he therefore invited the prophetess to his house, having made liberal 
preparation, as was the custom, for receiving a guest of such consequence. The seat 
of the soothsayer was placed in an eminent situation, and covered with pillows filled 
with the softest eider down. In the evening she arrived, together with a person who 
had been sent to meet her, and show her the way to Toi'quil's habitation. She was 
attired as follows: — She had a sky-blue tunick, having the front ornamented with gems 
from the top to the bottom, and wore around her throat a necklace of glass beads. 1 Her 
head-gear was of black lambskin, the lining being the fur of a white wild cat. She 
leant on a staff having a ball at the top. 2 The staff was ornamented with brass, and 
the ball or globe with gems or pebbles. She wore a Hunland (or Hungarian) girdle, 
to which was attached a large pouch, in which sbe kept her magical implements. Her 
shoes were of seal-skin, dressed with the hair outside, and secm-ed by long and thick 
straps, fastened by brazen clasps. She wore gloves of the wild cat's skin, with the fur 
inmost. As this venerable person entered the hall, all saluted her with due respect ; 
but she only returned the compliments of such as were agreeable to her. Torquil con- 
ducted her with reverence to the seat prepared for her, and requested she would purify 
the apartment and company assembled by casting her eyes over them. She was by 
no means sparing of her words. The table being at length covered, such viands were 
placed before Thorbiorga as suited her character of a soothsayer. These were a pre- 
paration of goat's milk, and a mess composed of the hearts of various animals; the 
prophetess made use of a brazen spoon, and a pointless knife, the handle of which was 
composed of a whale's tooth, and ornamented with two rings of brass. The table being 
removed, Torquil addressed Thorbiorga, requesting her opinion of his house and guests, 
at the same time intimating the subjects on which he and the company were desirous 
to consult her. 

"Thorbiorga replied, it was impossible for her to answer their inquiries until she had 
slept a night under his roof. The next morning, therefore, the magical apparatus necessary 
for herpurposewas prepared, andshethen inquired, as a necessary part of the ceremony, 
whether there was any female present who could sing a magical song called ' Vardlokur. 
When no songstress such as she desired could be found, Gudrida, the daughter of Tor- 
quil, replied, 'I am no sorceress or soothsayer; but my nurse, Haldisa, taught me, 
when in Iceland, a song called Vardlokur.'' — 'Then thou knowest more than I was 
aware of,' said Torquil. 'But a 1 I am a Christian,' continued Gudrida, 'I consider 
these rites as matters which it is unlawful to promote, and the song itself as unlaw- 
ful.' — 'Nevertheless,' answered the soothsayer, 'thou mayest help us in this matter 
without any harm to thy religion, since the task must remain with Torquil to provide 
everything necessary for the present purpose.' Torquil also earnestly entreated 
Gudrida, till she consented to grant his request The females then surrounded Thor- 
biorga, who took her place on a sort of elevated stage; Gudrida then sung the magic 
song, with a voice so sweet and tuneful, as to excel anything that had been heard by 
any present. The soothsayer, delighted with the melody, returned thanks to the 
singer, and then said, ' Much I have now learned of dearth and disease approaching 
the country, and many things are now clear to me which before were hidden as well 
from me as others. Our present dearth of substance shall not long endure for the pre- 
sent, and plenty will in the spring succeed to scarcity. The contagious diseases also, 
with which the country has been for some time afflicted, will in a short time take their 

1 We may suppose the beads to have been of the potent adderstone, to which so many virtues were ascribed. 

2 Like those anciently borne by porters at the gates o/ distinguished persons as a badge of office. 



NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 335 

departure. To thee, Gudrida, I can, in recompense for thy assistance on this occasion, 
announce a fortune of higher import than any one could have conjectured. You shall 
be married to a man of name here in Greenland; but you shall not long enjoy that 
union, for your fate recalls you to Iceland, where you shall become the mother of a 
numerous and honourable family, which shall be enlightened by a luminous ray of good 
fortune. So, my daughter, wishing thee health, I bid thee farewell.' The prophetess, 
having afterwards given answers to all queries which were put to her, either by Torquil 
or his guests, departed to show her skill at another festival to which she had been 
invited for that purpose. But ail which she presaged, either concerning the public or 
individuals, came truly to pass." 

The above narrative is taken from the Saga of Erick Randa, as quoted by the learned 
Bartholine in his curious work. He mentions similar instances, particularly of one 
Heida, celebrated for her predictions, who attended festivals for the purpose, as a 
modern Scotsman might say, of spaeing fortunes, with a gallant tail or retinue of thirty 
male and fifteen female attendants.— See Be Causis Contemptce a Danis adhuc gentilibus 
Mortis, libri III., cap. 4. 

Note S, p. 169 Zetland Fishermen. 

Dr Edmonston, the ingenious author of a View of the Ancient and Present State of 
the Zetland Islands, has placed this part of the subject in an interesting light. " It is 
truly painful to witness the anxiety and distress which the wives of these poor men 
suffer on the approach of a storm. Regardless of fatigue, they leave their homes, and 
fly to the spot where they expect their husbands to land, or ascend the summit of a 
rock, to look out for them on the bosom of the deep. Should they get the glimpse of a 
sail, they watch, with trembling solicitude, its alternate rise and disappearance on the 
waves; and though often tranquillized by the safe arrival of the objects of their search, 
yet it sometimes is their lot ' to hail the bark that never can return.' Subject to the 
influence of a variable climate, and engaged on a sea naturally tempestuous, with rapid 
currents, scarcely a season passes over without the occurrence of some fatal accident 
or hairbreadth escape." — View, dr. of the Zetland Islands, vol. i., p. 238. Many interests 
ing particulars respecting the fisheries and agriculture of Zetland, as well as its 
antiquities, may be found in the work we have quoted. 

Note T, p. 176. Promise of Odin. 

Although the Father of Scandinavian mythology has been as a deity long forgotten 
in the archipelago, which was once a very small part of his realm, yet even at this day 
his name continues to be occasionally attested as security for a promise. 

It is curious to observe, that the rites with which such attestations are still made in 
Orkney correspond to those of the ancient Northmen. It appears from several autho- 
rities, that in the Norse ritual, when an oath was imposed, he by whom it was pledged 
passed his hand, while pronouncing it, through a massive ring of silver kept for that 
purpose. 1 In like manner, two persons, generally lovers, desirous to take the promise 
of Odin, which they considered as peculiarly binding, joined hands through a circular 
hole in a sacrificial stone, which lies in the Orcadian Stonehenge, called the Circle of 
Stennis, of which we shall speak more hereafter. The ceremony is now confined to the 
troth-plighting of the lower classes, but at an earlier period may be supposed to have 
influenced a character like Minna in the higher ranks. 

Note U, p. 210. The Pictish Burgh. 

The Pictish Burgh, a fort which Noma is supposed to have converted into her dwell- 
in g-house, has been fully described in the Notes upon Ivanhoe, vol. ix., p. 345, of this 
edition. An account of the celebrated Castle of Mousa is there given, to afford an 
opportunity of comparing it with the Saxon Castle of Coningsburgh. It should, how- 
ever, have been mentioned, that the Castle of Mousa underwent considerable repairs at 
a comparatively recent period. Accordingly, Torfaeus assures us, that even this ancient 
pigeon-house, composed of dry stones, was fortification enough, not indeed to hold out 
a ten years' siege, like Troy in similar circumstances, but to wear out the patience of 
the besiegers. Erland, the son of Harold the Fair-spoken, had carried off a beautiful 
woman, the mother of a Norwegian earl, also called Harold, and sheltered himself with 
his fair prize in the Castle of Mousa. Earl Harold followed with an army, and, finding 
the place too strong for assault, endeavoured to reduce it by famine ; but such was the 
length of the siege, that the offended Earl found it necessary to listen to a treaty of 

1 See the Eyrbiggia Sag*- 



336 NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 

accommodation, and agreed that his mother's honour should be restored by marriage 
This transaction took place in the beginning of the thirteenth century, in the reignof 
William the Lion of Scotland. 1 It is probable that the improvements adopted by 
Erland on this occasion were those which finished the parapet of the castle, by making 
it project outwards, so that the tower of Mousa rather resembles the figure of a dice- 
box, whereas others of the same kind have the form of a truncated cone. It is easy 
to see how the projection of the highest parapet would render the defence more easy 
and effectual. 

Note X, p. 229. Luggie. 

Luggie, a famous conjurer, was wont, when storms prevented him from going to his 
usual employment of fishing, to angle over a steep rock at the place called, from his 
name, Luggie's Knoll. At other times he drew up dressed food while they were out at 
sea, of which his comrades partook boldly from natural courage, without caring who 
stood cook. The poor man was finally condemned and burned at Scalloway. 

Note Y, p. 231. Antique Coins found in Zetland. 

While these sheets were passing through the press, I received a letter from an honour- 
able and learned friend, containing the following passage relating to a discovery in 
Zetland: — " Within a few weeks, the workmen taking up the foundation of an old wall 
came on a hearth-stone, under which they found a horn, surrounded with massive silver 
rings like bracelets, and filled with coins of the Heptarchy, in perfect preservation. 
The place of finding is within a very short distance of the [supposed] residence of Noma 
of the Fitful-head."— Thus one of the very improbable fictions of the tale is verified by 
a singular coincidence. 

Note Z, p. 258. Character of Norna. 

The character of Noma is meant to be an instance of that singular kind of insanity, 
during which the patient, while she or he retains much sublety and address for the 
power of imposing upon others, is still more ingenious in endeavouring to impose upon 
themselves. Indeed, maniacs of this kind may be often observed to possess a sort of 
double character, in one of which they are the being whom their distempered imagina- 
tion shapes out, and in the other, their own natural self, as seen to exist by other 
people. This species of double consciousness makes wild work with the patient's 
imagination, and, judiciously used, is perhaps a frequent means of restoring sanity of 
intellect. Exterior circumstances striking the senses, often have a powerful effect in 
undermining or battering the airy castles which the disorder has excited. 

A late medical gentleman, my particular friend, told me the case of a lunatic patient 
confined in the Edinburgh Infirmary. He was so far happy that his mental alienation 
was of a gay and pleasant character, giving a kind of joyous explanation to all that 
came in contact with him. He considered the large house, numerous servants, &c. of 
the hospital, as all matters of state and consequence belonging to his own personal estab- 
lishment, and had no doubt of his own wealth and grandeur. One thing alone puzzled 
this man of wealth. Although he was provided with a first-rate cook and proper 
assistants, although his table was regularly supplied with every delicacy of the season, 
yet he confessed to my friend, that, by some uncommon depravity of the palate, every 
thing which he ate tasted of porridge. This peculiarity, of course, arose from the poor 
man being fed upon nothing else, and because his stomach was not so easily deceived 
as his other senses. 

Note A A, p. 259. Birds of Prey. 

So favourable a retreat does the island of Hoy afford for birds of prey, that instances 
of their ravages, which seldom occur in other parts of the country, are not unusual 
there. An individual was living in Orkney not long since, whom, while a child in its 
swaddling clothes, an eagle actually transported to its nest in the hill of Hoy. Happily 
the eyry being known, and the bird instantly pursued, the child was found uninjured, 
playing with the young eagles. A story of a more ludicrous transportation was told 
me by the reverend clergyman who is minister of the island. Hearing one day a 
strange grunting, lie suspected his servants had permitted a sow and pigs, which were 
tenants of his farm-yard, to get among his barley crop. Having in vain looked for the 
transgressors upon solid earth, he at length cast his eye upward, when he discovered 
one of the litter in the talons of a large eagle, which was soaring away with the 
unfortunate pig (squeaking all the while with terror) towards her nest in the crest 
of Hoy. 

1 S«a Torf«i Orcadui, p. 131. 



NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 337 

Note B B, p. 299. The Standing Stones of Stennis. 

The Standing Stones of Stennis, as by a little pleonasm this remarkable monument 
is termed, furnishes an irresistible refutation of the opinion of such antiquaries as hold 
that the circles usually called Druidical were peculiar to that race of priests. There is 
every reason to believe that the custom was as prevalent in Scandinavia as in Gaul or 
Britain, and as common to the mythology of Odin as to Druidical superstition. There 
is every reason to think that the Druids never occupied any part of the Orkneys, and 
tradition, as well as history, ascribes the Stones of Stennis to the Scandinavians. Two 
large sheets of water, communicating with the sea, are connected by a causeway, with 
openings permitting the tide to rise and recede, which is called the Bridge of Broisgar. 
Upon the eastern tongue of land appear the Standing Stones, arranged in the form of 
a half-circle, or rather a horse-shoe, the height of the pillars being fifteen feet and up- 
wards. Within this circle lies a stone, probably sacrificial. One of the pillars, a little 
to the westward, is perforated with a circular hole, through which loving couples are 
wont to join hands when they take the Promise of Odin, as has been repeatedly men- 
tioned in the text. The enclosure is surrounded by barrows, and on the opposite 
isthmus, advancing towards the Bridge of Broisgar, there is another monument of 
Standing Stones, which, in this case, is completely circular. They are less in size than 
those on the eastern side of the lake, their height running only from ten or twelve to 
fourteen feet. This western circle is surrounded by a deep trench drawn on the outside 
of the pillars; and I remarked four tumuli, or mounds of earth, regularly disposed 
around it Stonehenge excels this Orcadian monument ; but that of Stennis is, I con- 
ceive, the only one in Britain which can be said to approach it in consequence. All 
the northern nations marked by those huge enclosures the places of popular meeting, 
either for religious worship or the transaction of public business of a temporal nature. 
The Northern Popular Antiquities contain, in an abstract of the Eyrbiggia Saga, a 
particular account of the manner in which the Helga Fels, or Holy Rock, was set apart 
by the Pontiff Thorolf for solemn occasions. 

I need only add that, different from the monument on Salisbury Plain, the stones 
vhich were used in the Orcadian circle seem to have been raised from a quarry upon 
he spot, of which the marks are visible. 



END OF THE NOTES TO THE PIRATE. 



V** 



MAY SI 



